Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Definition

Electrical nerve stimulation, also called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), is a noninvasive, drug-free pain management technique. By sending electrical signals to underlying nerves, the battery-powered TENS device can relieve a wide range of chronic and acute pain.

Purpose

TENS is used to relieve pain caused by a variety of chronic conditions, including:

• neck and lower back pain
• headache/migraine
• arthritis
• post-herpetic neuralgia (lingering chronic pain after an attack of shingles)
• sciatica (pain radiating from lower back, through the legs, to the foot)
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