Explained
TENS Therapy
In short
TENS — transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation — passes a mild electrical current through skin electrodes to reduce pain perception. It gives short-term relief, is safe for home use, and is best used to make movement and daily activity more manageable.
Adhesive electrodes are placed around the painful area and a small battery-powered unit delivers a mild electrical current, producing a tingling sensation.
How it works
Two mechanisms are usually described: at higher frequencies the stimulation appears to interfere with pain signals reaching the brain, and at lower frequencies it may prompt release of the body's own pain-relieving chemicals.
What it is used for
Chronic back and neck pain, arthritis, nerve pain, labour pain, and post-surgical pain. It is one of the few physiotherapy modalities designed for patients to use independently at home, which is a genuine advantage.
What to expect
A comfortable tingling. Relief typically lasts while the unit is on and for a period afterwards, varying considerably between individuals. Effects can reduce with continuous use, so varying settings and taking breaks helps.
The honest position
The evidence is mixed, and TENS helps some people substantially and others not at all. It is inexpensive, has very few risks, and does not interact with medication — which makes it worth trying for persistent pain even though it does not work for everyone.
When it is avoided
Pacemakers and implanted electrical devices, over the front of the neck, over the abdomen in pregnancy other than in labour, over broken skin, and over areas of numbness.
Is this right for you?
Whether a technique helps depends on your diagnosis. An assessment tells you what will actually work for your problem.
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