TENS Therapy (definition of)

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Therapy is a pain management technique consisting of the application of electrical pulses to a specific nerve.

Electrodes are attached to the skin on the effected area, delivering the electrical current that is generated by a portable battery operated portable device. This device is the about the size of a credit card. It is virtually painless; patients may experience a sensation of warmth at the site of treatment, however.

Although noninvasive and quite free of harmful side effects, a TENS device is requires a prescription from a doctor.

Doctors are not entirely certain why and how this treatment works. Theories suggest that the electrical current either (A) scrambles pain impulses to the brain or (B) stimulates the body to produce endorphins, or possibly some combination of the two.

This method of pain control method is not appropriate for everyone, and cannot be used by patients using a pacemaker or other electrical devices.