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TENS Unit

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Other Names

TENS Unit

TENS Unit

  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Unit
  • TENS Machine
  • E-Stim Unit
  • Electrical Nerve Stimulator
  • Electrotherapy Unit
  • Muscle Stimulator
  • EMS Unit
  • NMES Device
  • Muscle Stimulator

Indications


Description

  • Small portable electrotherapy device used for non-invasive pain control
  • Delivers low-voltage electrical impulses through adhesive skin electrodes placed over painful areas
  • Electrical stimulation activates sensory nerves to reduce pain perception through neuromodulation and gate control mechanisms
  • Commonly used in physical therapy, sports medicine, and home pain management
  • Many devices include adjustable intensity, frequency, and stimulation modes and may combine TENS and EMS functions

Evidence

Chronic Low Back Pain

  • Not consistently more effective than placebo in the treatment of chronic low back pain[1]

Pudendal Neuralgia

  • Shown to be helpful as an adjunct to physical therapy[2]

See Also


References

  1. Buchmuller A, Navez M, Milletre-Bernardin M, et al.; Lombotens Trial Group. Value of TENS for relief of chronic low back pain with or without radicular pain. Eur J Pain. 2012;16(5):656–665.
  2. Eid, Marwa M., et al. "Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation as an adjunct to selected physical therapy exercise program on male patients with pudendal neuralgia: A randomized controlled trial." Clinical Rehabilitation 35.8 (2021): 1142-1150.
Created by:
John Kiel on 5 August 2024 22:29:04
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Last edited:
15 March 2026 23:10:50
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