Latest news with #TENS
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Cancer Diaries: EPF comes through, while I start turning into the Tin Man
JUNE 4 — Last week I talked about the unexpected challenges of getting my EPF medical withdrawal application approved. The good news is that it's sorted and for the moment, I can set any money concerns aside and just focus on building up my strength. I'm grateful that it has all been resolved and thankful to the EPF staffers who, throughout all this, have always been polite and as helpful as they could be, all things considered. Since my last column I've made visits to my physiotherapist and the dentist. Alas, I've been too tired and weak to keep up my rigorous dental routine so I needed to extract a wisdom tooth as well as patch up a few cavities. What's more pressing is that my body is so stiff that I have to pause, steady my core muscles and pray each time I need to get up. I asked my physiotherapist if my body was supposed to be like this — muscles hard and stiff, legs especially so. He said no, it was rather unusual but he joked that my legs had had to carry me throughout such a challenging journey. I've tried various stretches and exercises, muscle relaxants and finally multiple sessions with my handheld TENS/EMS machine but relief has been difficult to find. The EMS machine has helped me loosen up my left quad but I overdid it on my right leg so I'm hobbling around with multiple heat plasters slapped on wherever I feel pain — they need to make a whole body heat plaster as at this point there's very little surface area that doesn't hurt. From my reading, it's likely what's going on is from the cumulative effects of all my cancer treatments, inflammation from recovering from surgery, and general muscle weakness. There's nothing that can be done besides just doing my best with at-home rehab, finding time to take walks around the neighbourhood, while bringing my cane to ward off my creepy neighbourhood stalker uncle. I miss my dog most right now because a cane is no substitute for a protective canine companion but I don't have the stamina nor the headspace for a new pet. My one remaining cat is currently mad at me and has gone off in a huff to hang out with neighbours, as she does not appreciate her daily routine being disturbed with how often I sleep in or need to stay elsewhere for medical reasons. When she does make her appearance she will perch on top of a chair to nag me, perhaps a reproach for not adhering to her feeding schedule. My days are spent napping, exercising, laughing at TikTok videos. and mostly ignoring whatever is going on in the local political scene because whatever I have read makes my eyes hurt from all the rolling they've been doing. The silliness in Malaysian politics is never ending and while I do like the occasional dose of unseriousness, there are more pressing issues to be faced. We are still bleeding workers in the public healthcare system, we still keep getting conned by 'build another highway' rhetoric in addressing traffic congestion, and the loud rumblings about the cost of living are becoming ominous enough for the people who should be listening to them. I resume immunotherapy this week and am not looking forward to another round of 'find the vein'. Still, thinking back on how much has happened since my diagnosis last year, I have a lot more to be grateful for than to grieve. On Reddit, a man posted asking for recommendations for what games to play on the Steamdeck he was gifted 'before I die'. His cancer has not been responsive to treatment, his prognosis bleak so he is just finding comfort in his greatest joy — video games, because his body is too weak for him to do much else. I think of him often as well as a man in Gaza, Mohammed, who on Monday said goodbye to his cat, Leo. It was a sad day on social media too as there were many, myself included, who'd followed Mohammed's journey with his feline companion, surviving so many attacks on their homeland. Mohammed's devotion to seeking out vet care and food for his cat, even while living in the middle of a genocide, is a stark contrast to those careless Malaysians who dump their cats at wet markets. Leo died from starvation in the end as food for humans, what more for pets, is scarce now in Gaza, with a bag of flour now costing US$500 (RM2,126) due to scarcity. Mohammed is now seeking funds to help feed his family including his sister's very young children so if you can spare some ringgit, you can send some over to him at his campaign here. Will there still be Gazans left by the time I finish my cancer treatment? It would be easy to turn inward and think only of surviving my cancer but the world still goes on; my cancer will not get better by turning away from the sadness out there. In a better world, Leo would be lazing on a cushion being doted on by Mohammed's young family members, and there would be laughter and peace in Palestine. Believing that a better world is possible is necessary and almost an act of defiance in this present time. I will stay believing and advocating because hoping for something better is a shared dream of all humanity, even if some of us don't realise that yet. May Gaza in my lifetime be a safe place for its people, their children and even, yes, their pets.
Metro
24-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
I've embraced free bleeding when I'm on my period
I've formed a greater connection to my body (Piture: Hannah Shewan Stevens) Every month, a week before my period, cramps from my cervix flow into every bodily crevice. Alongside the pain, my mood drops with a crash. My periods are brutal because of endometriosis – a condition that causes body-wide pain due as endometrial tissue grows outside the womb. The pain is constant beyond bleeding days, and the actual menstruation? Savage. To prepare, I charge my TENS machine (a pain relief device) and electric hot water bottle, and stock up on painkillers. But since I ditched menstrual products and started embracing the ancient practice of free bleeding, rushing to buy pads and tampons is one less thing to think about. I don't ever see myself going back. 'Oh, a period for the modern, woke, feminist?' I hear you moan. Not so much. People have bled freely for centuries, especially before underwear became common in the 1800s. If you want women to return to 'traditional femininity', you can't get more femme. In the 1970s, the term was coined amid a rise of menstrual activism and its popularity rose due to fears around toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare and potentially fatal condition that can be caused by improper tampon usage. Medieval accounts of women letting blood run into their skirts intrigued me (Picture: Hannah Shewan Stevens) In 2015, the movement surged again when Kiran Gandhi ran the London Marathon without a tampon. Her choice sparked global discussion, ranging from applause to disgust. I'd considered free bleeding while at university, where I battled thrush and couldn't always afford tampons. Medieval accounts of women letting blood run into their skirts intrigued me. But period shame held me back. Despite being raised by a feminist matriarch, social period stigma had a massive effect. Into my twenties, I hid tampons up my sleeve to avoid people seeing them and panicked over the tiniest leak. I'd been socialised to believe my periods were inherently bad, that men would dismiss any mood change as 'PMSing'. I figured the less people knew, the better. But I couldn't find a period option that worked for me. Sticky sanitary towels gave me thrush or caused vulval irritation. Tampons were uncomfortable and fear-inducing. Reusable pads, while softer and chemical-free, still irritated my skin, and the constant rinsing was time-consuming. Everyone should try free bleeding at least once (Picture: Hannah Shewan Stevens) Period pants were the winner overall, but on summer days, they made my crotch feel like a bloody furnace. After cycling through menstrual cup options – digging inside myself, in a public bathroom, put me off for life – I decided to try free bleeding in April 2024 and I haven't looked back. There's no irritation, no smell, and fewer expenses. The average annual cost of period products is around £128 for disposable products. I haven't spent a penny in over a year. I'm no longer worried about whether I have enough pads, or waste time soaking reusables. I also bleed less. Although I don't have any scientific evidence, I used to go through up to eight pads or four tampons a day, and now I rarely get through my underwear. I only bleed for three to five days, instead of up to eight. I don't know the exact source of this menstruation miracle but I'm not questioning it! Similarly, I've also noticed far less cramping. Instead of dousing my vulva with Sudocrem or Canesten after a long day of discomfort, I just wear dark clothing and usually change my underwear once, usually about mid-afternoon. My period is my business and how I deal with it doesn't impact anyone else (Picture: Hannah Shewan Stevens) On light days, I can go the whole day in one pair; on rare heavier days, I might go through three. I sit on a blanket as an extra precaution, but in over a year of free bleeding, it's never been stained. On work-from-home days, I sometimes eschew underwear and clothes to let my vulva breathe. I use a towel to soak up any blood and take an extra shower during the day if the blood gets on my thighs, which I already do at least twice a day during my period. Apart from the extra laundry load, the only down-side has been avoiding the swimming pool. Everyone should try free bleeding at least once. It's cheaper, environmentally friendly and so freeing – I've formed a greater connection to my body and embrace all its functions without shame. People imagine free bleeders dripping blood and leaving puddles in their wake, but we only lose an average of two to three tablespoons of blood per period. It's not like the slasher film you've conjured up in your head. When I have shared in the past, no one has judged me – because my period is my business and how I deal with it doesn't impact anyone else. I'm grateful for any little bit of stress I can remove from my already chronically ill life. If you're curious, start on a light day near the end of your period to test the waters. Wear dark, thick fabrics and see how you go. It might not be for you, or you might become a convert. In the face of enduring period stigma, I plan to remain a free bleeder for as long as I have a period. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. Arrow MORE: How a herd of zebras helped me deal with child sex abuse Arrow MORE: He was the perfect man – then I smelled his Guinness farts Arrow MORE: I can't get over what I saw at the school gates
Business Standard
24-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Matri Launches India's Slimmest Dual Mode Period Pain Relief Device - Now Available Exclusively on MyMatri.com
VMPL Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 24: Matri, a fast-growing startup in the menstrual wellness space, has launched Matri Pro, India's slimmest and most advanced period pain relief device. This revolutionary product is now exclusively available on the brand's official website, a direct-to-consumer platform committed to women's wellness. Backed by science and inspired by real experiences, Matri Pro is designed to provide drug-free, non-invasive menstrual pain relief using a combination of advance TENS technology. The result is a wearable solution that offers instant cramp relief, enhances comfort, and empowers women during their period. Born from Passion and Purpose: The journey of Matri began during the second year of engineering for co-founders Roni Mondal and Rohan Roy, who saw firsthand the lack of effective solutions for period pain in India. In 2020, they incorporated the company using their personal savings, with a vision to transform menstrual care through innovation. Their dedication and product innovation earned national attention when Matri was featured on Shark Tank India Season 3, showcasing their commitment to solving one of the most common yet underserved health concerns. Designed for Today's Women: Matri Pro is built with modern lifestyles in mind. Whether at work, traveling, or at home, the device fits discreetly under clothing, offering continuous relief without the side effects of medication. Its dual-mode system allows users to switch between TENS and ComfortWave™ depending on comfort, making it one of the most customizable pain relief devices in the market. Key Features of Matri Pro: Matri Pro is the slimmest period pain relief device in India. Designed with versatility in mind, it offers dual modes, both wired and wireless, integrated into the same device. Use it wirelessly for maximum freedom of movement or switch to wired mode when needed, depending on your comfort and convenience. It features 30 adjustable intensity levels for personalized pain management and a smart memory mode that resumes from your last setting. The device is USB rechargeable, promoting sustainable use, and is a CDSCO Certified Class B Medical Device, ensuring quality and safety. Matri Pro comes with reusable gel pads, each pair lasting up to 30 uses. It is lightweight, wearable, and travel-friendly, making it ideal for daily life and on-the-go relief. Clinically tested and safe for regular use, Matri Pro embodies comfort, innovation, and trusted menstrual wellness. These features ensure that Matri Pro meets both medical standards and real-life comfort, making it an ideal choice for women looking for reliable and sustainable menstrual care. Building a Direct Connection with Women: Available exclusively on the brand's direct-to-consumer platform, Matri Pro is supported by a complete ecosystem of educational content, customer support, and bundled wellness kits. Unlike generic marketplaces, provides a personalized shopping experience, tailored for the modern Indian woman. The website also includes other women's wellness essentials, including reusable menstrual cups, sterilizers, shaving kits, and more--each product developed with a focus on safety, comfort, and eco-friendliness. Changing the Narrative Around Menstrual Health: Despite growing awareness, menstruation in India still carries stigma. Matri addresses this by not only offering solutions but by contributing to a larger cultural change. Through its social media presence, collaborations, and campaigns around World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Matri promotes open conversations around period pain and reproductive health. Scaling a Women-Centric Wellness Ecosystem: As part of its future plans, Matri is expanding its reach across India, especially into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where access to menstrual health products remains limited. The brand is also diversifying its offerings by launching new products line in women's hygiene and wellness, with the goal of becoming a holistic menstrual health company. Matri's growth is fueled by community trust, research-driven design, and a mission to normalize conversations about periods. With each product iteration, the team incorporates user feedback to ensure comfort, effectiveness, and accessibility remain at the core. About Matri: Matri is an India-based women's wellness brand founded in 2020 by Roni Mondal and Rohan Roy. It is committed to providing safe, science-backed, and stigma-free solutions for menstrual health. Its flagship product, Matri Pro, is India's slimmest TENS-based pain relief device and has quickly become a trusted choice for thousands of women across the country. Matri aims to lead the period care revolution with compassion, technology, and purpose. Learn More: Visit the Official Store: Follow Matri on Instagram: Like on Facebook: Visit: Media Contact: Email: hello@ Website:
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Beware this common medical device scam: ‘There is no way to know'
They've got some nerve! Vagus nerve stimulators are making waves as a potential way to relax, sleep better and improve gut health. But an expert on the vagus nerve warns that noninvasive VNS devices may not deliver as promised. Advertisement 'There is no evidence that using these devices to deliver electricity into the ear or skin of the neck is actually stimulating the vagus nerve,' Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, president and CEO of Northwell Health's Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, told The Post. 6 Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, president and CEO of Northwell Health's Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, wrote a new book about the vagus nerve, 'The Great Nerve.' Lee S. Weissman /Northwell Health Tracey — who wrote the new book, 'The Great Nerve,' and is often called the 'founding father' of bioelectronic medicine — cuts through the noise of vagus nerve therapy to distinguish the beneficial from the buzz. What is the vagus nerve? Advertisement The vagus nerve is a complex network of over 200,000 fibers that acts as an information superhighway between the brain and major organs. It's a paired structure — think two thumbs or two kidneys — with one on each side of your brainstem at about the level of your ears, descending through the neck and chest to reach the heart, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. 6 This diagram shows the branches of the vagus nerve in the neck. vonuk – Advertisement It regulates essential bodily functions like heart rate, breathing and digestion. 'The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve and the longest nerve in your body,' Tracey said. 'It is also the only nerve that would cause death if cut on both sides.' How can you stimulate the vagus nerve? Deep breathing, gargling, humming, singing and cold water immersion are commonly suggested ways to stimulate the nerve, but Tracey cautions that 'the scientific understanding and proof for most of these suggestions are lacking.' 'Humming might stimulate a few hundred fibers connected to your voice box, but these aren't the same fibers that go to your heart or regulate inflammation,' he added. Advertisement 6 Humming is a harmless activity that may or may not stimulate your vagus nerve. MARIIA – Tracey does support implantable VNS devices that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for the treatment of epilepsy, depression and stroke rehabilitation. A pulse generator, similar to a pacemaker, is implanted in the chest, and a wire connects it to the vagus nerve in the neck. A doctor programs the equipment to deliver electrical stimulation at set intervals. The noninvasive stimulators, meanwhile, are designed to be placed on the ear or neck to send the impulses. 6 There are two types of vagus nerve stimulators — an implantable device (shown here) and a non-invasive device that the user places on the neck or ear. Pepermpron – Tracey compared these devices to TENS units, which have been used for decades to deliver electricity through the skin to stimulate nerves and relieve pain. He noted that small clinical trials suggest at-home VNS may ease headaches, back pain and anxiety, but there's a lack of large, well-controlled, randomized clinical trials to support these claims. 'There is no way to know whether the TENS unit is stimulating a branch of the vagus nerve or stimulating many other nerves as well,' Tracey said. Advertisement 'Stimulating a small number of fibers in the neck or ear is quite different from stimulating the vagus nerve itself as occurs by implanting an FDA-approved device.' 6 Non-invasive VNS devices are similar to TENS units (pictured here), which have been used for decades to deliver electricity through the skin to stimulate nerves and relieve pain. praisaeng – What conditions does VNS target? 'It is likely that the first conditions to be treated by vagus nerve stimulation will be rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis, but rheumatoid arthritis is likely to be the first indication in the US,' Tracey said. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain. VNS can help by signaling the brain to tamp down inflammation. Advertisement 6 VNS may improve rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain. Khunatorn – VNS is also being explored for longevity. World-famous biohacker Bryan Johnson, 47, said he applies electrical impulses to his ear 'at the first potential signs of sickness,' such as a sudden drop in heart rate variability. Vagus nerve dysfunction can cause heart rate and blood pressure changes, digestive issues like nausea and bloating, fainting episodes, difficulty swallowing and chronic inflammation. 'If increased vagus nerve activity decreases chronic inflammation, it's reasonable to suggest it might improve health span and quality of life as people age,' Tracey mused. 'These ideas are being studied in laboratories and clinical trials worldwide.' Advertisement Before purchasing a VNS device Tracey recommends consulting with a physician before using a TENS unit or similar gadget to make sure you don't have cardiac, neurological or other risks. And buyers should beware. 'Calling a TENS unit a 'vagus nerve stimulator' does not mean the unit is actually stimulating the vagus nerve. It may or may not be,' Tracey said. 'It is not a requirement for marketing such devices that the name of the device has been proved to correspond to what is actually happening.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
People flying in for £90 Bolton massage which leaves the skin covered in bruises
Fitness fanatics from as far as the United Arab Emirates are paying £90 to have an extreme massage - where they are left in horrific pain and covered in bruises. Gym-goers and runners are flying from as far as the UAE to visit Rich Howarth, 40, who claims that the hour-long treatment 'gets deeper' into knots and scar tissue. His instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) treatment sees him firmly press a surgical steel bar up and down his patients' bodies to "get deeper" into knots and scar tissue. But as previously reported in The Bolton News a dozen clients have walked out of his massage parlour in Bolton, during treatment in recent years. (Image: 'The Muscle Scraper' / SWNS) He said: "Around 12 people have walked out while having the massage done in the last few years. "It is painful and it will be more painful if you go over the area that has issues." Around six years ago, Rick, of Bolton, suffered from a shoulder injury and after having physio, he was told that he would never be able to go to the gym or lift heavy again. He then had an IASTM massage and thought it was "amazing" so decided to train in it. Rick said: "I had physio and a TENS machine, but nothing was working as I couldn't move my arm more than 90 degrees. READ MORE: Rick Howarth, The Muscle Scraper, and his massage technique Fiji rugby league team enjoy massage at Bolton One Man's 'painful' steel bar massage technique changes people's lives "Someone sent me some information about IASTM and I thought it looked horrendous but I spoke to my physio and they told me to not do it. (Image: William Lailey / SWNS) "My surgeon told me I would never go to the gym again so I decided to give it a shot. "After one session, I was back in the gym again and I could move my arm again - I thought 'wow this is amazing.' "I then asked if I could learn it." Rick has even had clients travel from United Arab Emirates, France, Newcastle and London to come and have the treatment and he's also massaged former X Factor star Jake Quickenden (Image: William Lailey / SWNS) He said: "My youngest client is nine and my oldest is 82. "I treat everyone from professional athletes to young children to people who have retired who might have hip mobility issues. "I treat literally everyone, you don't have to go to the gym. "Someone came from Abu Dhabi, someone else came from Nice in France, I've had people from Belfast, Jersey and Guernsey. "I also get people from London, Bristol, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Grimsby - people come from all of the UK."
