Celebrating the holidays is something many of us happily anticipate all year. But the holidays generally come with added stress, and with the lingering effects of COVID still creating challenges for some, this holiday season is shaping up to be a time when self-care is extra important.

For those who live with chronic pain – and those who are caregivers – taking steps to safeguard your own physical and mental wellbeing is the best gift you can give yourself and those that care about you.

Here are five suggestions for keeping the “me” in merry during the holidays.

Jason’s first encounter with the RS-4i Plus came when his colleague at the VA, a pain pharmacist, suggested that he try it.

Since he had used various TENS units in the past, Jason was skeptical. Before his visit to the Physical Therapy clinic, he even did exercises that would normally cause his back pain. He wanted to see what the device could do.

“The first day I tried it, I think I was in about a five or six level of pain out of ten,” he said. “Once the RS-4i Plus device had done its thing, I actually got up and I had no pain.”

Where do I put these pads, again?

If you’re new to the RS-4i Plus, or using the RS-4i Plus to treat a new body area, it’s a question that likely has crossed your mind. But don’t worry – we have you covered. Here’s how you can get the most out of your treatments with the RS-4i Plus.

There’s no shortage of treatment options for chronic musculoskeletal pain, including physical therapy, medications, surgery, massage, psychotherapy and more. But there’s often no simple fix and, as opioids have shown, definitely no magic pill. There is, however, one doctor-prescribed treatment that’s proving to be popular for a number of reasons: electrotherapy with the RS-4i Plus.

Here are 6 reasons why you should consider the RS-4i Plus for self-managed pain relief.

While a device manufacturer may claim to be “high frequency,” it’s a label that doesn’t mean much without scientific context. What’s important is the waveform, and its ability to overcome skin resistance and penetrate to where the actual pain resides. Let’s look at the science behind the RS-4i Plus to get a better sense of how it treats pain – and what makes it different.

A concern for healthcare providers is identifying non-opioid treatment options that help patients manage chronic pain effectively. The most desirable choices should be fast acting, so patients begin getting pain relief as quickly as possible, and long lasting – optimally 6 hours or more. Of the options, one that may provide some of the longest-lasting, non-invasive relief is Interferential Therapy (INF). This non-invasive treatment goes to work quickly and provides long-term relief. In fact, many patients report pain relief that lasts for extended periods.

Research from the VA has delivered yet another a reality check for healthcare providers who are considering increased opioid doses for patients with chronic pain. Recent analysis shows that patients who received increasing doses of pain medication did not have meaningful reductions in their pain when compared against patients whose doses remained the same.