Asymmetric Bi-Phasic
A common TENS wave form.

TENS is an acronym for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Developed in the late 1960’s, the TENS stimulator is a battery-powered device which transmits an electrical impulse through lead wires and surface electrodes to underlying nerves. The stimulator converts the direct current of the battery into pulses of stimulation. Most stimulators feature adjustable settings to control amplitude (intensity) of stimulation by controlling voltage, current, and pulse width (duration) of each pulse.

Electrodes are placed at specific sites on the body for treatment of pain. The current travels through electrodes and into the skin stimulating specific nerve pathways to produce a tingling or massaging sensation that reduces the perception of pain.

When used as directed; TENS is a safe, non-invasive, drug-free method of pain management. It is used to offer a better quality of life for people with pain. Some common uses for TENS treatment are: acute and chronic pain, post op incisions and post surgical pain, labor and delivery, migraine and tension headaches, acute pain from sports and other injuries, arthritis, chronic pain from tendonitis and bursitis, cancer pain, and wound healing.