Home TENS unit

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Adhesive pads deliver controlled pulses through the skin, which some people find helpful for pain during movement or daily activity. The sensation should be noticeable but comfortable, not sharply painful. TENS changes pain signalling; it does not diagnose the source of pain or repair an injury, so symptom relief should not be used to push through harmful activity.

Ask a clinician or physiotherapist to show you pad placement for your pain area and to check the device settings. Apply pads to clean, intact skin and begin at a low comfortable intensity. Keep electrodes away from the front or side of the neck, head, broken skin, and areas without normal sensation. Do not use the unit while driving, bathing, sleeping, or operating machinery. Remove pads before changing their position, and stop if you develop skin irritation, burning, palpitations, dizziness, or worsening pain. Store the device and pads according to the manufacturer instructions.

Seek medical advice before using TENS if you have an implanted electrical device, an unexplained new pain, reduced sensation, or a condition requiring specialist monitoring. Get urgent care for chest pain, severe breathlessness, sudden weakness, or a rapidly worsening symptom. Arrange assessment when pain persists, limits function, or needs stronger treatment despite temporary TENS relief.

Is TENS suitable for my diagnosis and medical devices? Where should the pads go? What intensity and session pattern should I try? How will we know whether the underlying problem needs different treatment?