As much as we’d like to tell you that pain is just the French word for bread, we know that chronic pain conditions are nothing to joke about.
From slipped discs to autoimmune diseases which cause chronic pain and discomfort, medication can only do so much, and maxing out on anti-inflammatories can have extremely negative effects on your digestive system and overall well-being.
TENS machines are not exactly a brand-new invention. The first modern, patient-wearable TENS was patented in the United States in 1974, but it was Roman court physician to Emperor Claudius, Scribonius Largus, who is credited with the earliest proposition of peripheral nerve stimulation – he suggested using an “electric fish” (likely an eel) to relieve back pain.
It’s like the old adage (which we certainly don’t condone) – if you distract your pain with a different kind of pain, the initial pain disappears. More scientifically, peripheral nerve stimulation works by delivering small electrical impulses to a targeted peripheral nerve, effectively "masking" or interrupting the pain signals travelling to the brain.
Claire Mills, Physiotherapist and Founder of Core London, offered us some further insight into the benefits and potential drawbacks of TENS machines when it comes to physiological health and chronic pain relief. Keep scrolling to see what the expert had to say.
What is a TENS machine and how does it work?
“TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A TENS machine is a battery-operated device delivering small electrical pulses through electrodes attached to adhesive pads on the skin”, she explains. “The aim is to relieve pain by stimulating nerves and blocking pain signals travelling to the brain. It sends a tingling sensation to the area through the adhesive pad, which can override any pain signals reducing discomfort. Plus, it can trigger the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals – endorphins.”
Who can use a TENS machine?
According to Mills, “TENS machines can be used for chronic pain conditions such as back pain, arthritis, muscle pain, menstrual cramps and post-surgical pain. They can also be used as a non-medical option for pain relief in labour. Certain people should not use a TENS machine without seeking medical advice: anyone with a pacemaker, those in early stages of pregnancy, anyone with a heart condition, epilepsy, open wounds or an infection or if you have an overactive bladder or cognitive impairment.”
How do you use a TENS machine?
“Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended instructions”, she stresses. “With the machine off place the small adhesive pads on either side of the painful area at least 2.5cm/ 1 inch apart. Turn the machine on and you’ll feel a tingling sensation pass through the skin. Start on a low setting and gradually increase until it feels strong but comfortable. You can leave it on for as long as you need to, which is generally for between 30 and 60 minutes, and increase the intensity level as needed.”
What are the benefits?
Mills breaks it down.“The electrical stimulation may block pain signals travelling to the spinal cord and brain, thus helping to relieve pain. However, there’s not enough good-quality research and evidence to support that using a TENS machine is a reliable method of pain relief. It very much depends on the individual and the condition being treated. It’s important to note using a TENS machine is not a cure for pain, it can just relieve pain for short periods of time.”
“There are many alternative treatments for pain relief including acupuncture, soft tissue desensitisation through massage and exercise-based therapy – particularly low-impact exercise such as Pilates.
“At Core LDN, our pelvic health physiotherapists do recommend TENS machines and electrical stimulation for pelvic floor strengthening and bladder conditions to help with urge, stress or mixed incontinence for women following birth or menopause.
“It can also be used on men post-prostate surgery. There have been proven trials in the NHS that TENS can be effective in these conditions, however, we would never use a TENS machine in isolation and would always incorporate manual treatment if required alongside exercise therapy such as Pilates and strength training.
“I’d always recommend having an assessment by a pelvic health physiotherapist or medical professional before considering using a TENS machine for the pelvic floor/ bladder.”
Are there any side effects?
“Some people can have skin irritation or an allergic reaction to the pads. Some also find discomfort when using the machine on a higher setting”, she reveaals.
Can you use a TENS machine with other medication?
“I would always recommend consulting a medical or health professional before considering using TENS if you have existing medical conditions.”
What should you avoid when using a TENS machine?
“Avoid placing the electrodes over sensitive areas such as the front of the neck, temples, eyes, mouth or directly over the heart. Do not use while driving, in the bath/shower, or if you have broken or infected skin. Do not sleep with the machine on and avoid excessive stimulation as it can cause discomfort or burns.”
With Mills’ advice and warnings in mind, keep scrolling for the best TENS machines to help alleviate chronic pain.
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Boots TENS Maternity Unit
A must-have in the later stages of any pregnancy, this Maternity TENS Unit from Boots is incredibly easy to use and designed to help relieve pain at the onset of labour.
Simply apply the four pads to your back, switch the unit on, and feel the endorphins flood through your body – distracting you from labour pains and helping create a more comfortable environment.
Buy now £36.80, Boots
Boots Wireless Digital Pain Relief with TENS technology
On the more expensive end of the spectrum due to its conveniently wireless nature, this newer TENS machine from Boots is discreet and portable – making it perfect for subtle on-the-go use, whether it be while travelling, or at the office. The Bluetooth-enabled device offers an impressive 24-hour usage time per charge and helps to offer personalised relief for joint, muscle and arthritic pain.
Buy now £64.00, Boots
OMRON E3 Intense Portable TENS Machine
This sleek little TENS machine from OMRON features six pre-set programs targeting specific areas of the body, such as the back, shoulders, joints and muscles. Within each of these programs, there are an impressive 15 different intensity levels so that you can customise your pain relief with ease.
We’re big fans of the extra-large, intuitive display which makes quick operation a breeze, as well as the fact that the machine is equipped with long-life pads which can be reused up to 150 times.
Buy now £48.59, Amazon
AUVON Dual Channel TENS Machine for Pain Relief
Given the impressive dual-channel capability of this AUVON TENS machine, we too were surprised to see its incredibly value-for-money price tag. Rechargeable and brilliantly powerful, this device is equipped with up to 20 different modes, including ‘acupuncture’, ‘palm-kneading’ and ‘tapping’, to help alleviate pain.
What sets it apart is how you can choose separate modes and intensities for the two separate channels that the pads attach to. For instance, you might have two pads on your lower back in a low-intensity ‘shiatsu’ mode, while the other two pads work your triceps in a higher-intensity ‘kneading’ mode. The pads are extra-sticky and designed to last for up to 45 separate uses.
Buy now £24.64, Amazon
Monthlee Wireless Tens Machine
Designed to help alleviate pain associated with the menstrual cycle and endometriosis, this happy yellow device by the aptly named Monthlee offers six medical massage modes and a whopping 20 intensity modes – which makes sense, given how vast and varied period pain levels are across women.
The lightweight and discreet design can be worn on the move, and it has a rechargeable battery that lasts between 7-10 hours, and recharges in 2.5 hours. Simply attach the spherical device to the ‘angel wings’ adhesive pad and adjust the plus and minus buttons to find your perfect setting.
Buy now £25.99, Amazon
Beurer EM59 Digital TENS/EMS Device with Heat
Beurer’s fantastic TENS machine is also equipped with a wonderfully soothing heating function, which further relaxes your body and can be used individually or in parallel with a TENS program.
With by far the most pre-programmed applications of any TENS machine we’ve come across – you can choose between 64 different pre-set modes and six individually configurable TENS/EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) programs.
Buy now £68.99, Amazon
TensCare Mynd Migraine Relief 1 Unit
Though not always recommended by doctors for use on sensitive areas of the body such as the face, this migraine-specific TENS machine from TensCare is said to help alleviate the painful condition with 40 intensity levels and up to 22 hours of battery life.
The device offers two specialised programs for migraine relief: the first is preventative and intended for daily use, while the second is a treatment program for use during a migraine attack. Both programs have a set timer and automatically turn off once completed. It also comes with a handy travel case.
Buy now £99.99, Pharmacy 2U
Kinetik Wellbeing Dual Channel TENS Machine
Offering relief for muscle, menstrual and sports-related pain, this Kinetik digital TENS machine has 24 therapeutic modes with 15 different intensity settings. It has four electrode pads which divide into two channels, so you can personalise your experience and enjoy two different types of relief at different intensities, on different body parts at the same time.
Buy now £28.00, Argos
