TENs will not cure your pain but it can help to reduce your pain to a more acceptable level making life easier for you.

How does TENs work?

The TENs machine can work in two ways but firstly it is important to understand how the body feels pain. Messages are sent from the brain to all areas of the body and back again by the nerves, which run from the brain down the spinal cord spreading out to the trunk, arms and legs.

If you touch something hot a message will flash along the nerves, up the spinal cord and into the brain. A second message would immediately be sent back to the same area telling you to move your hand away. This process takes only a fraction of a second.

TENs works by a method called pain gating where the stimulation of the TENs machine blocks the messages to the brain telling it the body is experiencing pain. It also encourages the brain to produce the bodies own natural painkilling hormones known as endorphins.

The electrical stimulation is delivered to the body by a machine about the size of a personal stereo although some machines can be smaller.

A TENs machine has a pair of wires connected to two outlets on the machine. Attached to these wires are small electrode pads, which stick to the body like a sticking plaster. These pads are placed above the area of pain, usually on either side of the spine but this may vary depending on where the pain is felt.

The TENs machine is small enough to conveniently wear it clipped onto the waistband of trousers or a skirt and continue with your usual activities.

When in use a tingling sensation can be felt. This should not be an unpleasant feeling. Adjusting the rate and depth of the ‘tingling sensation’ using the controls on the machine can control the intensity and frequency of this sensation.