TENS

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. This means that nerves are stimulated by electrodes stuck onto the skin. This treatment method uses weak electrical currents and can be used in people with (chronic) pain.

TENS achieves a pain-reducing effect by disrupting pain transmission, stimulating the release of pain-relieving substances, and its relaxing effect on the muscles.

Use of TENS

Using the TENS device is very simple. The device is a small, battery-powered unit with two leads with an electrode on each. The electrodes are placed around the painful area, after which the device is switched on. Different types of electrical pulses can be set at higher or lower intensity.

There are also portable TENS devices for home use. The TENS device can be used several times a day for 20-60 minutes at a time.

A pain specialist may prescribe a TENS treatment, or the device may be used as part of a physical therapy treatment. This can be done in combination with pain medication.

Although TENS is used to reduce pain, it is not a solution for the underlying problem. The cause of the pain is not addressed by this. It can therefore supplement further (physical) therapy or provide symptom relief for people for whom other therapies do not work.