James Gets Back on Track with the RS-4i® Plus
James originally injured his back while serving on a military deployment in Kosovo and has suffered from low back pain ever since.
“When that happened, I couldn’t move,” says James. “The pain was totally disabling.”
Most Therapies Only Helped Temporarily
He sought treatment at the VA, and he was prescribed muscle relaxants and pain medication. When those proved largely ineffective and left him feeling drugged up, he tried physical therapy and chiropractic sessions. Those treatments provided better pain relief – but he found it was only temporary.
Another treatment provided by the VA was a TENS unit, but James found that ineffectual as well.
“It felt like it was pinching the skin,” he says. “It didn’t have any depth to it.”
Finally, He Found Relief with the RS-4i Plus
“This device is powerful,” says James.
The pain-relieving signal produced by the RS-4i Plus is indeed more powerful than most devices – 5000 Hz. This compares to many over-the-counter electrotherapy units that may only deliver 50 to 250 Hz. A signal at 5000 Hz can penetrate deeper into the tissue – targeting subcutaneous nerves in an effort to block pain signals and provide relief.
“Using this device, my pain goes down from a 9 to a 2 or a 1,” he says.
In addition, the RS-4i Plus also offers muscle therapy in the form of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, or NMES. Acting on both fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers, the RS-4i Plus can elicit a maximal muscle contraction. That’s a technical way of saying that it can help improve blood flow and relax muscle spasms – which, in turn, helps further reduce pain.
“I’m thoroughly impressed that it digs deep to make the muscles really respond and relax.”
A Road Trip Proved the Value of the RS-4i Plus
Just how bad James’ pain could get became clear when he was on a road trip from North Dakota to Las Vegas. He and his family made an overnight stop in Provo, and the next morning he woke with back pain so severe that he was unable to get out of bed.
“I tried for four hours to get moving,” says James. “It was like a knife gashed through my spine.”
Luckily, with him on the trip was the RS-4i Plus, which he had gotten from the VA only a few weeks earlier. He applied it on his back and started the Intersperse® program that alternates between pain relieving Interferential therapy and muscle stimulating NMES therapy.
“After 15 minutes, the pain went away and I could finally sit up,” he says. “I was able to get dressed, and we were able to get back on the road.”
The RS-4i Plus is the Tool that Gets Him Back on Track
He now uses the electrotherapy device regularly as part of his complete therapy regimen. When his back gets bad, the RS-4i Plus is the tool that gets everything going in the right direction again.
Looking back on the incident in Provo, James is grateful that he had the RS-4i Plus. He’s also still amazed how well and how quickly the device worked on his severe pain.
“This is something that was very impressive.”
Ready to Get Your Life Back on Track?
Veterans receiving VA healthcare who are interested in getting their own RS-4i Plus should speak to their healthcare provider at the VA.
For non-Veterans interested in ordering a device, we offer a guide to aid in the discussion with your healthcare provider. Complete this form to view, download and print the guide.
Related Resources
Blog: Treating Back Pain at Home is Easier than You Think
Blog: 6 Reasons the RS-4i Plus is Ideal for At-Home Pain Relief
This blog provides general information and discussion about medicine, health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare professional.