What is “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation” (TENS)?

Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Amrit Dhaliwal | Published: 27 July 2017 | Updated: ~

Handheld TENS unit attached by electrical wires to four self-adhesive electrodes

TENS machine and electrodes.1

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, pronounced ‘tens’) is a common electrotherapy primarily used to treat pain. TENS is a type of electrical stimulation that is delivered using electrical therapy machines connected to electrodes placed on the skin’s surface.

For people with SCI, TENS is used as a treatment option for musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, and spasticity.