TENS

TENS or “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation” is a drug-free method that uses very small, non-painful electrical currents to block pain signals to the brain.

The battery-operated TENS unit is portable, and about the size of a deck of cards. The unit is comprised of a small 9-volt power pack attached to electrodes that send electrical impulses through the skin. The impulses stimulate underlying nerves and cause a mild tingling sensation.

Small electrodes are placed on the skin near the area of pain. Wires connect the electrodes to the unit and the unit is adjusted to provide a comfortable level of stimulation.

Is it safe for me?

Do not use TENS if you are pregnant, have an electrical device in your body, like a pacemaker or AICD (Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defribrillator). If you have cancer, TENS may be used if placed distant to the site of cancer, however, it’s important you seek guidance from your oncologist prior to using TENS in this situation as well as for palliative cancer care.

If you have surgery, you may need to wait 1-2 weeks before applying TENS near an incision.

Plan for it

Treatments are usually done for about 30 minutes 3-4 times per day and do not limit you from doing your usual activities.

Quality TENS units can be obtained for as little as $30-40 online. They are also available at pharmacies or at the Mayo Clinic store. The most highly recommended are dual channel units that allow for 4 electrodes to be placed at one time.

It is recommended that a therapist instruct you in the use of the unit. This may be done at Mayo if time permits or when you get home. However, this is not always necessary. A charge for instruction from a therapist may be added to your bill.

Practice doing it

Applying the Electrodes

Review the manufacturer’s instructions.  Locate exactly where your pain is. Use a minimum of two pads for pain treatment. Four pads are more useful for optimal pain treatment. You may need to trim excess body hair where the electrodes will be placed.  Wash the site with mild soap and warm water, and dry. Do not put the electrodes over your chest, open wounds, or surgical hardware.

Operating the TENS device

After you have applied the electrodes, refer to the manufacturer’s guide for the recommended settings. In general, you will:

1. Turn on the TENS unit to a comfortable level after connecting it to the electrode wires.

2. Leave the unit on for around 30 minutes.

3. Turn the unit off when the treatment is over and remove the electrodes.

4. Repeat treatment up to 4 times per day.

Getting the best results

It’s easiest to start with the TENS 7000 default settings.  Once you are comfortable using the unit, experiment with changing the mode and pulse rate and duration.

Test out different distances between each TENS unit pad, as this will alter the flow of the electrical current.

Need help or have questions?

If you have questions about this resource or any medical condition, always talk to your healthcare professional.