Blood Draw · IV Starts

Arm Placement for IVs

To place “proximally” for IVs and during the actual painful procedure (splinter removal, cleaning a wound, injection, IV, etc.) means Buzzy needs to go “between the brain and the pain” to be effective. In other words, Buzzy should be placed along the path of the nerve to best interrupt the pain signals’ journey from your skin to the brain. The nerves travel in territories called “dermatomes”. If you’ve ever seen shingles, the very abrupt outlines of the rash come because shingles affects skin by irritating the nerves in one or more dermatomes. This picture shows Buzzy optimally placed to decrease pain in the C6 dermatome.

Biologics · Glucose Monitor Placement

Arm Placement for Subcutaneous Procedures

To place “proximally” for SC injections  means Buzzy needs to go “between the brain and the pain” to be effective. In other words, Buzzy should be placed along the path of the nerve to best interrupt the pain signals’ journey from your skin to the brain. The nerves travel in territories called “dermatomes”. If you’ve ever seen shingles, the very abrupt outlines of the rash come because shingles affects skin by irritating the nerves in one or more dermatomes. This picture shows Buzzy optimally placed to decrease pain at the intersection of the C5 and T1 dermatomes.

IVF · Biologics · Stomach Injections

Abdominal Placement

Dermatome pathways are fairly straightforward on the hands and arms, as they go straight down from the shoulder. Other places on the body, the regions get a little more complicated. This diagram shows positioning of Buzzy for a procedure on the line between T10 and T11. Imagine the nerves coming out from the spine and wrapping horizontally around the stomach and chest. This Buzzy is in great position for a poke between the bellybutton and Buzzy’s bottom. The skin on the stomach is thinner than the back or upper arm, so Buzzy® may only need to be in place 15-30 seconds before moving and doing the procedure.

Biologics · Thigh Injections

Thigh Placement

This shows where Buzzy would go for an injection on the mid-thigh, for example placement for a Rocephin, Humira, or Enbrel injection. First place Buzzy directly on the intended site to desensitize the area. Leave in place up to 60 seconds as it’s a more muscular area, then move toward the brain/spine a few centimeters up and lateral. Keep Buzzy® vibrating in place while the shot is given. Thighs are a bit tricky, because the dermatomes curve from backside toward the knee. Again, place on the area where the shot will go, but then slide a little toward the hip/spine rather than straight up and down. Buzzy’s motor is at his larger rounded tail end away from the switch, so the bigger rounded end should be closer to the shot, and Buzzy’s “head” should be closer to the actual head or spine. Leave the ice pack in place for this whole process if tolerated: ice is an important part of the pain relief.

Biologics · Dry Needling

Gluteal Placement

For gluteal injections, the nerve pathways are very tilted and fairly narrow. Buzzy XL may be better for this, as it is slightly larger and covers more area. For a gluteal injection in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock, after desensitizing the area 60-90 seconds, Buzzy will be angled and slightly closer to the spine.

Injections · Dry Needling  · PNT

Foot Placement

Placement of Buzzy for injections in the foot also may be more complicated. In general, imagine the foot divided lengthwise into three stripes, and place Buzzy closer to the leg in the same stripe.

Facial Placement

Facial dermatomes come straight from the back of the skull up and over, so Buzzy placement would be directly vertical for Botox or eyebrow procedures. For upper lip or mandible procedures, placement slightly above and lateral would be correct.