Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a method of pain relief involving the use of a mild electrical current. A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes. The main advantage of using a TENS machine is that it provides pain relief. It works by sending electrical currents that travel through electrodes and into the skin. This stimulates the specific nerve pathways to produce a tingling sensation and activates a complex neuronal network to result in a reduction of pain.