Category: pain concern

I was given the Quell device as part of a product review through the Chronic Illness Bloggers network. Although the product was a gift, all opinions in this Quell wearable pain relief review are my own, and I was in no way influenced by the company.

I was delighted when Julie at Chronic Illness Bloggers offered me the opportunity to review the Quell wearable pain relief device. I must admit that I was a bit sceptical at Quell’s owners claim that it works by strapping the device to your calf muscle and when the device is activated, it stimulates nerves in the leg that send signals through to your brain to induce your body to release its own pain blocking chemicals, known as endogenous opioids, which should reduce or eliminate chronic pain or even temporary pain.

I have tried tens machines in the past without much success as the relief didn’t last long enough so I was keen to see how long the pain relief would last using the Quell.

It can be connected to your smartphone and even works while you sleep and as I am an avid user of my smartphone it sounded perfect. It arrived charged and ready to use which was great.

When I started the trial, I was going through a rough patch with not only awful pain from Fibromyalgia but also a disc problem and foot problem. This year has been quite a trying year for me in managing my chronic pain including a new problem with some trapped nerves in my elbow which resulted in surgery.

I scored my pain level at the beginning of the trial at a 7 – 8.

The best part of the Quell is that it is 100% drug free, doctor recommended and clinically proven, and has a 60-day money back guarantee and a 2-year warranty for any technical defect, so you are on a win, win situation right from the start.

I started using the device after following the Quick Start Guide and I also looked at the information on the Quell Wesite. It tells you to use the device for at least two to three full 60-minute session per day for the first few weeks to ensure that you give the technology time to work.

With my pain being in many places and not just in one spot I was interested to see how it would work. I didn’t expect it to take all the pain away, but some release was better than none.

The app that you download on your smartphone or tablet will track how many sessions you complete each day but as I was taking my device away on holiday with me I was unable to use it this way, as I turn off data roaming on my smartphone while in Europe.

When the Quell is working, the initial feeling is a tingling or buzzing sensation like a tens machine but at no stage did it become uncomfortable for me. Its technology will automatically adjust the intensity of your stimulation ensuring that you get the exact amount of pain relief you need. Initially I felt that for a woman, having something strapped to your calf would be a bit inconvenient but you can always wear it in bed or under trousers.

It’s simple to collaborate the Quell with the company using their Simple 123 set up. It has a rechargeable battery that will run for an average of 30 hours on a single charge and is extremely easy to operate. The electrodes are meant to be used for approximately 2 weeks and then disposed of so unfortunately this means there is an ongoing purchase needed to continue with the pain relief.

It delivers the treatment for an hour, then it stops but you can change the frequency in the app. The app shows you how long you have left of your treatment, and you can stop or start a session any time you want. You can also stop Quell manually if you are not using the app simply by pushing the button on the device four times quickly.

When I arrived on my holiday I was desperate for some pain relief and I found I could soon walk for longer and the pain was down to a 4 -5 (in my foot). I wasn’t expecting miracles for the rest of my pain but walking without a limp was a great advance for me.

I decided to wear it at night and used it every night while away. It has three settings for sleep, Bedtime only – this cycle only lasts while falling asleep and turns itself off once you are asleep (this is the one I used ) Gentle overnight – this cycle continues throughout the night but at a lower intensity and Full power – this cycle continues through the night at the same setting as you have it on for using during the day.

There is in-depth information on the Quell website where you can also find a user manual, instructional videos and troubleshooting tips. They also have a dedicated Customer Care department and will answer any questions or concerns you have.

I think most of us chronic pain sufferers want a quick fix which this isn’t but patience is a virtue and the Quell will without doubt help alleviate some of your pain, which at the end of the day is all we wish for. In a study published in the Journal of Pain Research, 80% of participants responded to the Quell reporting that their chronic pain had improved in 60 days.

Overall, I would give it the thumbs up and is more effective than a Tens machine.