A TENS unit features numerous pads designed to be attached to the body through which a mild electrical signal is sent to alleviate pain.
TENS units are compact and affordable and many people find them to be a desirable alternative to painkillers.
TENS units can be purchased without a prescription and provide a variety of quality of life benefits that we will get into below.
18 Benefits Of A TENS Unit
A TENS unit is a safe and effective way to deal with everything from arthritis to everyday aches and pains.
1: A TENS unit can relieve pain.
People use TENS units for a number of reasons, as we’ll see. But one of the most common is to obtain pain relief from various maladies. A TENS unit works by creating a tingling sensation that essentially overwhelms the nerve that had been sending pain signals to your brain. As a result, those signals are blocked, and you get a break from whatever pain was bothering you. The amount of stimulation it provides can be adjusted by the user to find their personal sweet spot.
2: A TENS unit is affordable.
Older folks on a fixed budget are sometimes unable to afford expensive healthcare treatments (1). They need affordable options that are not just inexpensive but also effective. The one time cost associated with buying a TENS unit is typically less than $100 (sometimes considerably less). During its useful lifespan it could wind up providing many, many times that amount in equivalent treatment value.
3: A TENS unit offers drug-free pain relief.
Addiction to painkillers is a very real and growing problem (2). As such, there’s never been a better time for the drug-free pain relief you’ll get from your TENS unit. Not only will you avoid the specter of addiction you’ll also save a bundle of money because, if you haven’t checked lately, the cost of prescription drugs has gone through the roof (3).
4: A TENS unit is easy enough anyone can use it.
One of the many great things about a TENS unit is that practically anyone can use it effectively. They come with a variety of pre-programmed therapeutic functions and a range of intensity levels you can easily adjust to suit your needs and temperament. In most cases, you’ll find it’s as simple as attaching the pads and turning the unit on.
5: A TENS unit means you don’t have to travel for therapy.
If you need treatment for aching muscles, minor injuries, arthritis pain, or other conditions, you won’t have to travel to the massage therapist or doctor’s office to receive it if you have a TENS unit. The TENS unit allows you to obtain relief and to continue treatment in the privacy and safety of your own home on your own schedule. You’ll save time, money, and a boatload of inconvenience.
6: A TENS unit can help relieve sciatica.
Sciatica (4) occurs when the sciatic nerve that runs from your lower back down your leg becomes irritated. Sometimes it’s the result of a disc problem. But injury, illness, or just wear and tear can also be the cause. A TENS unit can provide much-needed relief from the pain of sciatica.
7: A TENS unit can help relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis.
The plantar fascia runs from your toes to your heel along the bottom of your foot. Bad shoes, poor running form, obesity, and other conditions can result in the plantar fascia becoming inflamed. A condition known as plantar fasciitis (5). That can result in intense pain in the heel. Regular use of the TENS unit can alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis.
8: A TENS unit can help reduce inflammation.
Inflammation (6) is the body’s natural response to injury or illness. However, it can also be the source of a lot of aches and pains. And chronic inflammation can lead to a host of secondary conditions. Although you’ll likely need to address the underlying cause by different means, a TENS unit can be effective in helping reduce some of the effects of inflammation.
9: A TENS unit can treat peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy (7) is not typically a painful condition (though in some cases it can be). More often, it is typified by numbness or a lack of feeling in the extremities. There are too many potential causes of peripheral neuropathy to list here. But the good news is that it can sometimes be effectively treated with a TENS unit.
10: A TENS unit can relieve the pain and stiffness of arthritis.
One of the most common uses for a TENS unit is to provide relief from the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis (8) and rheumatoid arthritis (9). This is not to say that it can cure arthritis. It can’t. What it can do is provide some much needed pain relief.
11: A TENS unit can help relieve menstrual cramps.
Some women suffer dearly from menstrual cramps (10). And the search for relief can sometimes seem fruitless. Fortunately, research has demonstrated that TENS therapy can be effective in treating menstrual cramps (11). In fact many women participating in the research characterized the relief they got from TENS as being either good or excellent.
12: A TENS unit provides treatment flexibility.
Most of the better TENS units provide a variety of intensity levels and numerous pre-programmed treatments. This plethora of treatment options means you have an excellent chance of finding a treatment mode that will work for you. In all likelihood, you’ll find several. As a result, you’ll have a great deal of control over your own treatment.
13: A TENS unit produces endorphins.
Endorphins (12) are typically released by the brain during strenuous exercise, sex and even by eating chocolate. They act as natural painkillers and often create a sense of euphoria as well. Treatment with a TENS unit can produce endorphins. That is one reason they do such a good job alleviating pain.
14: A TENS unit can help with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (13) is the result of excessive stress and strain on the tendons of the wrist. It can be very painful and obtaining relief isn’t always possible via standard methods like NSAIDs (14). Many people, however, report that treatment with a TENS unit that involves placing a pad on both the top and bottom of the wrist can provide effective relief.
15: A TENS unit does not produce side effects.
Another of the many great things about a TENS unit is that it’s side effect free. This is one reason so many health professionals recommend TENS treatment over drug-based approaches to pain relief. Of course being side effect free means using the device only as directed.
16: A TENS unit may actually bring nerves back to life.
There is compelling evidence to suggest that treatment with a TENS unit can reactivate dormant nerves. The process is called ‘reinnervation’ (15). For people who have suffered nerve damage due to injury or illness, this is an exciting prospect. It’s also now thought that regular TENS treatment may stop a nerve from sending pain signals to the brain altogether.
17: A TENS unit provides non-invasive treatment.
Treatment with a TENS unit is not only drug-free treatment; it’s also completely non-invasive. Simply attach the pads (electrodes) to or near the affected area and turn the machine on to your preferred settings. When you finish with one area, simply move the electrodes to the next.
18: A TENS unit is both portable and discreet.
Most TENS units can fit in the palm of your hand. And most come with some sort of carrying case or sack. That’s good because it allows you to take the unit with you when you go on vacation or travel to see family and friends. Many people worry that the unit won’t be allowed on an airplane. But according to the TSA you can carry a TENS unit in any checked or carry-on bag (16).
Conclusion
A TENS unit is a simple and affordable way to obtain pain relief without having to resort to pharmaceutical remedies. Whether you suffer from arthritis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome or aches and pains following a workout a TENS unit can help.