What Is Tens Unit?

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a therapeutic modality that is intended to reduce pain perception in a number of clinical conditions. Since the early 1970s, TENS Unit has come into wide use as a non-invasive alternative for managing both acute and chronic pain. Unlike drugs, TENS Unit does not have any major side effects. A TENS Unit can be used to treat different types of pain. TENS Unit helps to reduce pain after an injury or after surgery. It can also help with muscle, back or arthritis pain

How does TENS work?

Most TENS units are a small pocket-sized. Attached to the outside of the unit are two lead wires where two pins and/or snaps connect on each wire. Units come with reusable pads or electrodes. These are placed on the skin surrounding the area involved. By attaching the pins/snaps to the pads, the electricity can pass from the unit making the circuit complete.

As the intensity is turned up slowly, the electrical current enters the body from the electrodes through the skin to the surrounding nerve fibers. This triggers the release of hormones from within the body. These hormones contain pain relievers. By increasing the circulation of these hormones, the person’s pain may be lessened. It is also believed that the electrical stimulation itself helps to block the pain messages being sent to the brain, thus also decreasing the body’s perception of pain.