Pain & Discomfort

Knee. Keep it moving with easy walking and comfortable bending and straightening. Reduce deep squats, kneeling or quick direction changes when they aggravate it.

Hip. Shorten your stride or reduce deep hip bending when needed. Avoid lying directly on a sore outer hip and break up long periods of sitting.

Lower back. Change positions regularly, keep loads close when lifting and use easy walking or comfortable mobility instead of staying still.

Build strength gradually around the legs, hips and trunk to better support walking, bending and standing.

Use the AcuKnee Wrap or AcuBelt for broader coverage. Use the two included pads when you want to target a more specific area.

• Knee: For pain around the kneecap, place one pad beside it and the other above it over the quadriceps. For pain along either side, place one pad just above and one just below the sore area. Avoid the kneecap, other bony areas and the knee crease.
• Front of the hip or groin: Place one pad on the upper front thigh and the other farther out on the front or side of the hip. Never place pads directly over the groin or genitals.
• Outer hip: Place one pad above the tender area over the side glute and the other below it on the upper outer thigh. Avoid the bony point of the hip.
• Glute: Place one pad over the upper glute and the other below it across the muscle, or use the AcuBelt for broader coverage.
• Lower back: Place one pad on each side of the spine at the level of the discomfort, or place both around a focused area on one side. Never place pads directly over the spine. Use the AcuBelt for broader coverage.

For temporary pain relief, try Mode 3: Tapping. For muscle activation, place both pads over the quadriceps, glutes or lower-back muscles and select Mode 12: Passive Exercise.

Stay in motion. Walking and regular movement can help maintain strength and mobility in the feet and legs.

Move the feet and ankles. Pointing, flexing and circling the feet moves the ankle through its natural range, especially after long periods of sitting or standing.

Pay attention to sensation. If feeling in your feet is reduced, check regularly for irritation, pressure spots or injuries you might not notice right away.

TENS uses low-frequency pulses to target sensory nerves, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. It can provide temporary relief from uncomfortable sensations, but it doesn’t repair damaged nerves or address the underlying cause of neuropathy.

EMS uses gentle electrical pulses to contract and relax the muscles of the feet and lower legs, which can support circulation, reduce swelling and aid recovery.

Use the Foot Stim Pads flat on the floor for the soles of the feet, wrapped around the calf or thigh for broader coverage, the AcuBelt for the lower back, or electrode pads when you want more targeted placement.

• Soles of the feet: Place the Foot Stim Pads flat on the floor and stand on them for full-sole coverage.
• Calves or thighs: Secure the Foot Stim Pads around the area with an Elastic Hold-In-Place Wrap for broader, contoured coverage.
• Sides or arch of the foot: Use electrode pads along the arch or sides of the foot for more targeted, radiating discomfort.
• Lower back: Wrap the AcuBelt around the lower back, centered over the area that may be contributing to leg or foot symptoms.

Keep moving. Easy walking and normal daily activity are generally better than spending long periods resting in bed.

Change positions. If sitting aggravates your symptoms, break up longer periods of sitting with standing or walking.

Be selective with stretching. There isn’t one stretch that works for every case of sciatica. Stick with movements that feel comfortable and don’t send symptoms farther down the leg.

TENS can provide temporary relief around the lower back, glute or leg, but it doesn’t address the underlying cause of sciatica.

Use the AcuBelt for broader coverage or the XL pads for more targeted placement.

• Lower back: Wrap the AcuBelt around the lower back and hips, centered over the painful area.
• Glute: If pain starts deep in the hip or glute, place both pads around the painful area, either vertically or horizontally to frame it.
• Radiating leg pain: Follow the path of the sciatic nerve by placing one pad on the lower back or hip and the other farther down the thigh or calf where the pain travels. Keep pads at least one inch apart.

Change the load. If a repetitive movement is aggravating the area, reduce the weight, resistance or repetition for a bit and build back gradually.

Keep it moving. Gentle wrist and forearm mobility can help prevent stiffness while you reduce aggravating activity.

Build strength gradually. Progressive wrist and forearm exercises are commonly used for tendon-related elbow pain.

TENS can provide temporary pain relief around the wrist, elbow and forearm, at a strong but comfortable intensity for 20 to 30 minutes. EMS can be used for muscle activation and recovery.

Use the AcuWrist Wrap or AcuElbow Wrap for targeted therapy around the joint, or electrode pads for more precise placement across the surrounding forearm muscles.

• Wrist with AcuWrist Wrap: Wrap it around the wrist and use TENS for temporary relief, or EMS to activate the surrounding muscles.
• Wrist with pads: For carpal tunnel or repetitive-use wrist discomfort, place 2 small pads on the inner wrist or forearm, along the path of the median nerve, at least one pad’s width apart. Avoid placing pads over broken skin or areas with complete numbness.
• Elbow with AcuElbow Wrap: Wrap it around the elbow and use TENS for temporary relief, or EMS to activate the surrounding muscles.
• Elbow with pads: Place 2 pads above and below the site of pain, or use 4 pads in a cross pattern around the elbow joint or affected muscle in the forearm.