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TENS technology

Drug-free treatments for pain relief are often very popular. Whether suffering from acute or chronic pain, people are often looking for natural painkillers. Electrotherapy, and more specifically TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), offers an effective and easy-to-implement pain-relieving action.

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What is electrotherapy?

Since ancient times, men and women have used electricity to treat health problems. Electrotherapy applies mild electrical currents to the skin. The current is delivered by electrodes placed on the painful area.

There are different forms of electrotherapy. Some are used to relieve pain, while others are used to restore muscle strength.

TENS is one form of electrotherapy that works against pain. Pain generally decreases during application. TENS can also relieve pain between sessions.

How do you use TENS?

Typically, you go to a physiotherapist to use TENS. Electrodes are positioned on your body where you want to relieve pain. They are then connected to a control unit that allows for various adjustments. Electrodes should not be used on certain areas of the body; These areas are indicated in the instructions for use of TENS products.

TENS is now also available as a pain relief patch or lumbar belt. The portable unit, connected by cables to the electrodes, is no longer necessary: ​​the unit is integrated into the patch or belt. The technique of action remains the same, however. The device is also positioned on the painful area.

What types of pain can be relieved with TENS?

In recent decades, several hundred studies have evaluated the effectiveness of TENS electrotherapy for relieving acute or chronic pain. These studies are numerous enough to identify types of pain that respond better to TENS than others.

Some studies show that TENS is more effective than other pain treatments¹. Other studies show that it is equally effective².

Relieving acute pain

TENS is effective against acute pain³. This refers to pain that lasts for a few days or weeks.

  • Post-traumatic pain. This refers to pain that occurs after an accident, such as a sprain. In this case, medical advice is necessary.
  • Joint and muscle pain: pain in the elbow, heel, hand, shoulders, tendonitis, arthritis, muscle tear. This can occur after playing sports or engaging in repetitive activities, or following a diagnosed condition.
  • Acute lower back pain: backache.
  • Neck pain⁶: cervicalgia. When TENS is applied as a patch, it can be applied to the back of the neck, but not to the sides.

Relieving chronic pain

Pain is considered chronic if it lasts more than 3 months.
The evidence available to date regarding the effect of TENS on chronic pain is still limited, but we are still only at the beginning of the use of TENS for chronic pain¹.
TNS is nevertheless being tested and used for these conditions.

  • Joint pain: osteoarthritis², arthritis, etc.
  • Muscle pain: aches, back pain, lumbago, and stiff neck…
  • Lower back pain and neck pain.

How does TENS work?

The electrical current delivered by TENS electrotherapy stimulates the nerve fibers that trigger or suppress the sensation of pain. The pain signal is no longer properly transmitted to the nervous system: its intensity is reduced. The pain therefore decreases during the TENS application.

This phenomenon also triggers the release of endorphins. This is why TENS is considered a non-medicinal pain reliever with no side effects: endorphins are naturally secreted by the brain. By increasing their release, we increase the feeling of well-being and reduce the sensation of pain. It is the release of endorphins that allows pain to be relieved even after the session.

What happens during a session?

TENS sessions are very easy to set up. Here are the steps:

  • Locate the painful area.
  • Place the device on the painful area.
  • Start a program.
  • Wait 30 minutes. You can remain still or go about your business. However, some activities, such as driving, are not compatible with a TENS session; refer to the product instructions.
  • The TENS unit will stop, and you can put it away.

Before using TENS, it is necessary to make an appointment with your doctor to diagnose the cause of your pain.

 

¹Johnson MI, Paley CA, Howe TE, Sluka KA. (2015). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
²Gibson W, Wand BM, Meads C, Catley MJ, O’Connell NE. (2019). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain – an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
³Johnson MI, Paley CA, Howe TE, Sluka KA. (2015). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
⁴Sbruzzi G, Silveira SA, Silva DV, Coronel CC, Plentz RD. (2012). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation after thoracic surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials. Rev. Bras. Cir. Cardiovasc.
⁵ Zhu, Y., Feng, Y., & Peng, L. (2017). Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain control after total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.
⁶Kroeling P, Gross A, Graham N, Burnie SJ, Szeto G, Goldsmith CH, Haines T, Forget M. (2013). Electrotherapy for neck pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
⁷HAS. Comission d’évaluation des produits et prestations sur les appareils de neurostimulation électrique transcutanée. 2009.
⁸Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Ljunggreen AE. (2003) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can reduce postoperative analgesic consumption. A meta-analysis with assessment of optimal treatment parameters for postoperative pain. Eur. J. Pain.
⁹Page MJ, Green S, Kramer S, Johnston RV, McBain B, Buchbinder R. (2014). Electrotherapy modalities for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
¹⁰Brosseau L, Yonge K, Welch V, Marchand S, Judd M, Wells GA, Tugwell P. (2003). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the hand. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
¹¹Page MJ, Green S, Mrocki MA, Surace SJ, Deitch J, McBain B, Lyttle N, Buchbinder R. Electrotherapy modalities for rotator cuff disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016,
¹²Megía, Á. G., Serrano-Muñoz, D., Bravo-Esteban, E., Ando, S. L., Avendaño-Coy, J., & Gómez-Soriano, J. (2019). Analgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with fibromyalgia: A systematic review.