What is TENS?

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy is used in physical therapy settings to decrease pain. Electrodes attached to the skin deliver electrical impulses to nearby nerve pathways. TENS releases chemicals in your body that stop or reduce pain signals. The electrodes are controlled by a small unit that is worn on the belt or carried in a pocket. The intensity of the stimulation is set by the user.

TENS reduces pain during movement or activity. Research shows that TENS is most helpful for chronic pain when used for 30 minutes every day for 2 hours while active. It is less effective when sitting still, lying down, or resting. In our prior randomized controlled clinical trial testing TENS in fibromyalgia we show that TENS use during activity, reduced activity-related pain.