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TENS Unit for Pain Relief

What is a TENS unit?

Woman using a TENS unit while reading on a bed

A TENS unit sends tiny electric signals to nerves near painful areas to help reduce pain.

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit is a device that helps treat pain. It is small enough to hold in your hand. It comes with wires and pads that attach to the skin. 

A TENS unit sends tiny electric signals through wires placed on the skin. These electric signals travel to nerves to help reduce pain. This may feel like a tingle or a gentle massage. 

Your care team will teach you how to use the TENS unit. Follow all of their instructions.

Benefits of TENS

TENS can be a safe, non-medicine way to help manage your child’s pain. Families may like using TENS because it: 

  • Helps treat pain without medicine 
  • May help reduce swelling 
  • Is easy to use 
  • Does not use needles  
  • Has few or no side effects 

TENS at home

Your child may use TENS at home to help manage ongoing pain. Your care team will show you how to use the device safely before you begin. Always follow their instructions. 

When using a TENS unit at home: 

  • Make sure the device is turned off before attaching or removing pads. 
  • Wash and dry the skin before placing the pads. 
  • Place the pads on clean, healthy skin near the area that hurts. Do not place pads on broken or irritated skin. 
  • The unit has different settings or levels. Start with a low setting. Increase it slowly until your child feels a gentle tingle. 
  • Use the TENS unit only for the length of time recommended by your care team. 
  • Put the electrodes in a new place on the body every day or 2 to keep the skin from getting irritated. 

Safety tips for home use 

  • Do not place pads on the front of the neck or over the eyes. 
  • Do not place TENS pads close to a medicine patch. It may change how the medicine works. 
  • Do not use TENS while bathing or sleeping. 
  • Do not use TENS if your child has a pacemaker or certain heart conditions unless your care team says it is safe. 
  • Keep the device and pads out of reach of children. 
  • Check the skin after each use. Tell your care team if you notice redness, irritation, or a rash. 

Risks of TENS

TENS is generally safe to use. When using TENS, it is important to know that: 

  • Your child’s skin may get red or itchy where the pads touch. 
  • Some patients do not like the buzzing, tingling, or pricking feeling. 
  • TENS may not be recommended for patients with certain medical conditions or medical devices. 

Questions to ask your care team

  • What is a TENS unit and why does my child need it? 
  • Where should I place the pads for my child’s type of pain? 
  • How long should each session last? 
  • How many times each day can we use the TENS? 
  • What setting should we start with? 
  • What should we do if the skin gets red, itchy, or irritated? 
  • Is it safe to use the TENS with other medical devices? 

Key points about TENS

  • A TENS unit is a small device that sends tiny electrical signals through pads on the skin to help reduce pain. 
  • It may feel like a light tingle or gentle massage when the TENS is on. 
  • TENS is easy to use and does not need needles or anything that goes into the body. 
  • Some patients may not like the buzzing or tingling feeling the TENS makes. 
  • Your care team will teach you how to use the TENS safely. 

—
Reviewed: April 2026

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