Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an electronic device that produces electrical impulses to stimulate nerves across unbroken skin.

It is considered an effective method to relieve pain and inflammation. The TENS unit is placed on the skin with the help of two or more electrodes. This unit is battery operated and comprises a pulse generator, small transformer, intensity and frequency controls and a number of electrodes.

The way the electrodes are placed on the skin determines how nerves are stimulated. The intensity and frequency of electrode signals to be administered depends on the intensity of the health problems and varies from patient to patient.


TENS is particularly useful if you are suffering from:

  • Shoulder pain

  • Sports injuries

  • Menstrual pain

  • Aching joints

  • Migraines

  • Pain or inflammation

  • Nerve pain

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Back pain

  • Pelvic pain

Therapists make use of the small device known as TENS unit which produces electrical signals through the pads placed on the skin to the affected nerves.
These signals or pulses are controlled by the patients at all times and stop the pain signals that go the brain. TENS also helps the body produce higher quantities of natural healing chemicals called endorphins and enkephalins.