Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, is a technique that makes use of electrical current in an attempt to stimulate the nerves to help deal with pain. The TENS units are small devices that operate off a battery and that deliver the electricity to the body via pads that attract to the skin. They generally have between two and four electrodes. The portable units for sale to consumers today are high quality, and they have the ability to modulate the frequency, intensity, and pulse width.

1. What is a TENS unit?
What is a TENS unit?
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, is a
technique that makes use of electrical current in an attempt to
stimulate the nerves to help deal with pain
Example of a TENS unit
The TENS units are small devices that operate off a battery and that deliver the
electricity to the body via pads that attract to the skin. They generally have between
two and four electrodes. The portable units for sale to consumers today are high
quality, and they have the ability to modulate the frequency, intensity, and pulse
width.
TENS units in history
Electricity has been useful for numbing pain for quite some time. In fact, the
Egyptians may well have been the first culture to use electricity in this manner.
They did not have TENS units, but according to some stone carvings, they may
have used electric eels to help treat pain. The Romans used electric fish as well,
mostly for the treatment of headaches and gout.
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As the centuries wore on, people began learning how to harness electricity, and
actually used static electricity to help with pain in the nineteenth century. In the
1970s, more and more therapists started utilizing the TENS therapy with actual
professional units specifically designed for pain relief.
In those early days, the TENS units were very expensive, and they were generally
only in the hands of doctors and specialists. Today, the price has come down
considerably, which means more people are able to afford these units. They are
available through many online channels today, making it easier than ever to buy a
unit for your own personal use.
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What is a TENS unit used for?
The following are some of the most common uses of the TENS unit today. This
just scratches the surface of the different types of pains and ailments they can
help with though.
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Back pain
Labor pain
Neck pain
Knee pain
Sciatica
Arthritis
Programs and modes for TENS units
Most of the quality units on the market today have several different modes and
program settings. This helps them meet the needs for the widest range of pain
the patients might have. The units may have programs for helping to deal with
acute pain, as well as to help with muscle relaxation, and even chronic pain.
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2. What is a TENS unit?
Many of the TENS units allow you to customize and program the units so you
have more control over the programs and modes, so that you can create a nerve
stimulation program that is perfect for your pain. The following are some mode
examples.
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Constant Stimulation – Works well for acute pain relief
Burst Mode – Sends bursts of electrical stimulation, commonly used for
chronic relief
Modulation – Provides varying frequencies for reducing nerve
adaptation, and is useful for chronic and acute pain relief
The power levels of the unit are important to understand. Different power levels
tend to work better for different purposes. They will generally have low, moderate,
high, and very high settings. Those who are just starting to use the units should
start on the lower settings in order to get an understanding of how the machine
feels.
As always, make sure you consult your physician or other healthcare
professional before using one of these units.
You can choose the duration of the treatment, as well as the pulse rate, and the
pulse width. Different units may have different preprogrammed modes, such as
normal, burst, or modulation, which you can try as well. It is important to make
sure you read the owner’s manual and understand what these modes do, as
they can differ depending on the brand you buy.
The electrodes
The TENS units on the market today will typically have at least two electrodes,
although most actually have four. These electrodes connect to the unit via wires
and cables, and the pads on the electrodes stick to the body. You can place
these on various areas of your body where you feel pain.
While the electrodes are standard, they are not the only option. One of the other
popular options, particularly for dealing with back pain, is the belt. The belts are
generally very adjustable, so they will work for people of many different sizes.
The TENS unit remains a great choice for many types of pain relief. Look for your
own unit today.
For further information visit: www.ElectricalStimulationTherapy.com
TENS therapy for managing pain