BioWaveHOME Lower Extremity Review Magazine User Guide

: June 9, 2024
: BioWave

Table of Contents

BioWave Noninvasive Electrodes
Directions For Use
Electrode Placement Rationale
Motion During Treatment
Treatment Regimen Protocols
Electrode Placement Examples
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

BioWaveHOME Lower Extremity Review Magazine User Guide

There are 4 buttons that control the device:

Power ON/OFF button
PLUS (+) button to increase intensity
MINUS (–) button to decrease intensity
PAUSE button to pause the treatment

BioWave Noninvasive Electrodes

The BioWaveHOME Pain Therapy System can be used with the following BioWave Noninvasive Electrodes:

B-Set Pain in Two Locations

The B-set is comprised of two 2.0” diameter round equal area pain site electrodes for treating:

Pain in Two Locations

directly over 2 locations of pain;
over the origin or source of pain, and over the most painful location that is closest to the origin of pain (for example, for sciatica, one pad is placed over the spine (origin) and one pad is placed on the buttock (most painful location closest to the origin);
one inch apart from one another to treat a large area of pain

The B-Set is used for treating pain in the following areas:

pain in one or two locations in the back including, buttocks, lower back or mid back region
radiculopathies (radiating pain down the back or side of the leg)
pain in two locations in the hip or groin
pain in two locations in the cervical spine, shoulders or knees
pain centered directly in the spine
pain presenting in a large area

Pain in a Single Location Extremities

The E-set is comprised of one 1.375” diameter round Pain Site Electrode that is placed directly over the single location of pain; and one 2”x 4” rectangular Dispersive Electrode that is placed over a bony prominence (a comfortable location to receive stimulation) near the region being treated.
The E-Set is used for treating single locations of pain in the extremities:

Knees, ankles, feet, toes, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers

Pain in a Single Location Mid-torso

Pain in a Single Location

The U-set is comprised of one 2.0” diameter round Pain Site Electrode that is placed directly over the single location of pain; and one 5” x 8” rectangular dispersive electrode placed horizontally across the lower back (a comfortable place to receive stimulation).

The U-Set is used for treating single locations of pain in the mid-torso region:

rib, oblique, hip, buttock, groin, adductor, abductor, gluteus maximus, hamstring, quadriceps
The U-set is not used for treating single locations of pain on the low back (use the B-set).

BioWaveHOME may be used with BioWave Percutaneous Electrodes as well. For protocols and placement instructions involving BioWave Percutaneous Electrodes, see the BioWaveHOME User’s Manual and BioWavePENS Quick Reference Guide. This Quick Reference shows photos of Examples of Electrode placements for pain presenting in different parts of the body.
Note: BioWave is not intended to treat any of the conditions provided as examples, only the associated, symptomatic pain.

NOTE: Electrodes MAY BE PLACED directly over or in the proximity of implanted metal hardware, including total joint replacements, anchors, plates, rods, screws and pins.
WARNING: ELECTRODES MUST NEVER TOUCH EACH OTHER

1.0 inch (2.6 cm) is the minimum spacing between electrodes on the back.
0.5 inches (1.3 cm) is the minimum spacing between electrodes on joints or extremities.
There is NO maximum spacing between any electrodes.
If the edges of the electrodes touch during the treatment, it may cause a burn.

Directions For Use

Clean your skin with a damp washcloth in the location the electrodes are to be placed.
Plug ELECTRODE CONNECTORS into blue LEADWIRE CABLE CONNECTORS. Either electrode can be attached to either blue leadwire cable connector.
Place electrodes on body. At least one ROUND electrode must be placed over the pain site. See and follow Electrode Placement Examples inside.
Orient LEVER on cable CONNECTOR so it is aligned with its mating keyhole inside the CABLE RECEPTACLE in the device. GENTLY slide cable CONNECTOR into CABLE RECEPTACLE so it clicks in place.
Press Power Button to turn unit on. Start up screen should read 0.0%.
Start treatment by pressing the PLUS (+) button.
Continue to press the PLUS (+) button throughout the treatment so that a steady strong but comfortable tingling and pressure sensation is felt under the electrode(s) covering the pain site(s).
Unit turns off automatically at end of 30-minute treatment.
Plug AC Charger into AC RECEPTACLE and other end into a standard wall outlet to recharge the battery. Unit provides up to 4 treatments on a single charge.

Electrode Placement Rationale

BioWaveHOME electrode placements are different from conventional electrical stimulation. The mixing of the patented therapeutic signals occurs in a 3.5-inch hemisphere (the size of half of a grapefruit) beneath and surrounding each electrode, not along the surface of the skin between the electrodes. As a result, electrodes need to be placed directly over specific locations of pain, or one electrode over a single location of pain and the second over a comfortable location to receive stimulation – typically over a bony prominence near the treatment site.
Electrical signals can be focused to different parts of the body by pairing electrodes of different sizes with one another.

B-Set: Two Locations of Pain or one large area of pain. Two same size

2” diameter round Pain Site Electrodes.
E-Set: Single Location of Pain on Extremities. One 1.375” diameter round Pain Site Electrode; One 2”x 4” rectangular Dispersive Electrode placed in a comfortable location (over a bony prominence).

U-Set: Single Location of Pain in the MidTorso Area. One 2” diameter round Pain Site Electrode; One 5”x 8” large rectangular Dispersive Electrode placed in a comfortable location (horizontally across the low back).
For BioWave Percutaneous Electrodes, see BioWavePENS Quick Reference Guide for placement instructions.

Body Position During Treatment
Position of the body during the treatment is important. Generally, the tissue being treated should be a little taut or in a stretch position. Generally, sitting in a supported position in a chair, couch or bed is best for most treatment locations on the body. See User’s Manual for more detailed information on optimal Body Position for different treatment locations.

Motion During Treatment

The sensation from the treatment is a deep smooth tingling and pressure sensation as the muscle is held in tension in the volume of tissue being treated. Motion may cause a stronger or weaker sensation and will cause the location of the internal electrical field to shift slightly. Shifting of the electrical field is most prevalent when treating shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers and feet.
The goal is to gently move the joint at the treatment location to shift the sensation caused by the electrical field so that it focuses directly onto and encompasses the primary location of pain. This is a fine tuning of the treatment that will provide the best treatment result.

Treatment Regimen Protocols

Intensity Settings
Patients should increase the intensity based on sensation (not an intensity number) to a level that is strong but still comfortable. The body adapts to the electrical field very quickly over the first 2 – 5 minutes and then less so over the remainder of the 30-minute treatment. As a light numbness forms in the volume of tissue beneath each electrode and the sensation diminishes, continue to increase the intensity level with individual presses of the PLUS (+) button.

Pain Management

One 30-minute treatment per day or on an as needed basis.
May be used as many times as needed each day. Each 30 minute treatment should be separated by at least 30 minutes. Multiple treatments may provide a cumulative benefit.

Athletic Training/Sports

Three 30-minute treatments separated by 2-3 hours: immediately before practice or a game, immediately after practice or a game, and time permitting 2-3 hours later.
BioWaveHOME is complimentary with heat or cold therapy. Use a towel or another barrier between the electrodes and a heating pad or ice.

Physical Therapy

Use tape or wrap over the electrodes to help hold them in place.
Begin a static treatment for 10 minutes to allow the effect of the electrical field to take place.
After 10 minutes, decrease intensity by 5 – 10% to take the edge off of the sensation.
Begin active or passive range of motion, exercise or stretching therapy during remainder of treatment to significantly increase range of motion with less pain and facilitate exercise therapy. You can move more resistance through a greater range of motion with less pain and because of long lasting residual pain relief, there may be little post exercise soreness.

End of Treatment
Place noninvasive reusable electrodes back on blue release liner and store in resealable bag. Leadwire cable may be wrapped over the front and then around the stimulator. To remove leadwire cable, lie stimulator face down on a hard surface. Press firmly on the cable release button on back of stimulator and while holding it down, gently pull the connector straight out of its socket. A full charge on the battery will provide up to four 30-minute treatments.

Typical intensity ranges:

Knees, ankles, feet: 60% – 90%
Low and mid back, shoulders: 40% – 60%
Neck, elbow, wrist: 30% – 50%
Generally, patients should try to reach a minimum intensity level of 30%. Some patients may tolerate more, some less.

Contraindications

DO NOT use if you have an implanted cardiac pacemaker.
DO NOT use if you have epilepsy or are prone to seizures.
DO NOT place electrodes over the heart or across the thoracic volume (not on either side of the heart). Electrodes can be applied to the back of the thorax and lateral aspect of the upper limb (i.e. below/down the shoulder).
DO NOT place the electrodes on the front or side of the neck.
DO NOT place the electrodes on top of the head.
DO NOT place electrodes over wounds, broken skin or sensitive skin areas (for example, sunburned skin).

Electrode Placement Examples

Electrodes Must Never Touch Each Other:

1.0 inch (2.6 cm) is the minimum spacing between electrodes on the back.
0.5 inches (1.3 cm) is the minimum spacing between electrodes on joints or extremities.
There is NO maximum spacing between any electrodes.
If the edges of the electrodes touch during the treatment, it may cause a burn.

The following section shows photos of Examples of Electrode placements for pain presenting in different parts of the body. Note: BioWave is not intended to treat any of the conditions provided as examples, only the associated, symptomatic pain. For PERCUTANEOUS ELECTRODE PLACEMENTS, contact your physician, see the BioWavePENS Quick Reference Guide or call technical support:
1-877-BIOWAVE (1-877-246-9283)

Low Back

Low Back