Wellness Devices

therapy

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Electrical stimulation through the skin used for pain relief — FDA-cleared, well-studied, and inexpensive.

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A TENS unit delivers small electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the skin. The pulses stimulate nerve fibers and are thought to reduce pain perception via the gate control theory of pain.

TENS units are FDA-cleared for pain relief, well-studied, and very inexpensive. They're commonly used for back pain, joint pain, menstrual cramps, and post-surgical pain. They work, they're safe, and they're one of the better-supported wellness purchases you can make.

Don't confuse TENS with EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) — EMS is for muscle activation, TENS is for pain relief, though many consumer devices combine both.