What is a TENS Unit?
It's a device that sends electrical pulses to your body through sticky pads.
Although it sounds like magic, it's not.
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit is the most common form of electrotherapy for managing various types of acute and chronic pain. TENS units are small, battery-powered devices that administer mild shocks through sticky tens unit pads (also called electrodes) that connect to the skin. These electrodes connect to the TENS unit through lead wires. However, wireless TENS units have become popular.
What does a TENS Unit do?
TENS units help relieve pain.
TENS units send electrical pulses to the skin to stimulate the body's nerves. The TENS unit relieves pain through two methods, pain gating and the release of endorphins.
In short, it helps you relieve pain without the use of or in unison with pain medication.
Do TENS Units work?
TENS therapy is one of the most used forms of not just electrotherapy, but pain management for chronic and acute pain. Before TENS 7000 was an OTC TENS unit, it was the most prescribed TENS unit by professional doctors and physical therapists.
It may be a shock that there has been no conclusive research or clinical trials determining if TENS therapy is a reliable pain relief treatment. However, there have been tests done stating a positive result of pain relief. Not to mention, thousands of positive reviews have been left.
Studies and findings:
- A 2014 study found that TENS therapy was proven to treat acute and chronic pain.
- Studies show that TENS units produce minimal side effects with no incidents reported and no potential for toxicity or overdose.
- Dr. William Teller of Stanford University has confirmed that TENS units do increase the body's production of endorphins.
How Long does TENS Therapy Pain Relief Last?
Pain relief from TENS therapy has shown varying results with aid lasting as short as 5 minutes and up to 24 hours. There's no definite answer as to why this is, but one hypothesis is that pain relief depends on the pain type as well as the level of pain.
Acute pain is going to require less treatment compared to more severe and chronic pain types. Tips for consistent pain relief with TENS therapy include continuously using the TENS unit as well as changing the electrode positions and intensity of the treatment.
