Figure 1 Source: http:\/\/www.therxreview.com\/tens-unit-what-it-is-and-what-it-does\/<\/p>\n TENS is short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. <\/strong>It is generally considered a safe (when used correctly), inexpensive, and non-invasive method of stimulating nerves by applying electricity to the surface of the skin.<\/p>\n For more about TENS and how it might work, check out this post.<\/p>\n TENS units have not been approved by the FDA for any medical purpose or health claim. Talk to your doctor before using TENS. <\/strong><\/p>\n TENS devices are classified as Class II devices. They can be approved as \u201cadjunct in the treatment of pain\u201d as long as they are similar enough–that is, at last as safe and effective–to already cleared TENS devices on the market.<\/p>\n No valid clinical evidence supports the use of TENS for any of the conditions listed in this section.<\/p>\n Below is a summary of the existing clinical, animal, and cell-based research that should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies listed below should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.<\/p>\n According to a recent Cochrane overview of reviews, it is not possible to confidently state whether TENS is effective in relieving pain compared to sham TENS, usual care\/no treatment, or combined with another active treatment versus the active treatment alone [<\/strong>R<\/strong><\/a>].<\/strong><\/p>\n In one study, the TENS unit reduced shoulder pain and improved shoulder joint mobility of 90 participants with shoulder pain<\/a> from paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia). TENS also improved their overall quality of life [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Insufficient evidence suggests that the TENS unit may help people suffering from chronic pain. In a small observational study of 33 people with chronic back pain, 14 (42%) of them experienced at least a 30% pain reduction from TENS. And out of the 14, 13 felt the benefits within an hour or less of using the TENS unit. This study had many limitations [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A study of 60 patients with upper back pain found that using a TENS unit reduced pain better than placebo [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another study of patients with back pain, those who used TENS ended up making fewer hospital and clinic visits [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A study in arthritis patients found that using a TENS unit helped reduce pain during walking and at rest [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Similarly, there is insufficient evidence to say that the TENS unit helps with pain related to dental procedures. Using the TENS unit in preparation for cavity-filling treatments suppressed pain during the procedure in 80% of patients in one study [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A study with 54 patients that underwent spinal surgery found that TENS had a pain-reducing effect (analgesia). It reduced the number of needed painkillers and their side effects [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Patients who used a TENS machine after surgery required less pain-relieving medication in another large study of 1,350 people [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Those who used a TENS unit after surgery had lower levels of pain than those in the control group in a study of 40 patients who underwent surgery that required a large chest incision (a procedure called posterolateral thoracotomy<\/em>, often used for lung or heart surgery) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a study with 40 patients who underwent open-heart surgery, using the TENS unit at acupuncture points (\u201cAcu-TENS\u201d) helped to return blood pressure and heart rate to normal more quickly and using fewer medications (compared to patients who did not use TENS) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Both high- and low-intensity TENS treatment helped relieve pain following major surgery in another study of 64 patients [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Patients who used TENS after surgery had improved breathing, less pain, and required less pain-killing drugs than patients who did not use TENS in a study with 50 patients who underwent chest surgery. A related study concluded that using a TENS unit alongside painkillers may relieve pain better than just the medication [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, not all studies have found a beneficial effect on pain after surgery.<\/strong><\/p>\n For example, in one study with 45 patients who received surgery (pulmonary artery bypass), using TENS did not significantly reduce pain<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n According to some, small differences in TENS procedures might make a big difference in terms of its effectiveness and health benefits. However, no evidence backs up such claims.<\/p>\n In fact, a recent Cochrane overview of reviews didn\u2019t find any reliable evidence that the effectiveness of TENS varies when using different delivery modes<\/strong> (e.g. different frequency, intensity or electrode placement) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n![\"TENS](\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2019\/10\/tens-unit.png\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>FDA Regulation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Uses of the TENS unit<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Insufficient Evidence for:<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>1) Pain<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Shoulder & Back Pain<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Pain After Surgery<\/h4>\n