Tens Machines are now standard equipment in every Pain Clinic in the UK. If you bear in mind that most people resorting to Pain Clinics are already suffering severe pain and discomfort that's quite a powerful credential for the humble Tens Machine!

Tens Machines don't work for everyone so we can never guarantee 100% success for any individual patient. However the vast majority of Tens Machine users experience significant if not total pain relief when using their TeNS. Nowadays Tens Machines are relatively cheap and so if you're serious about fixing your pain its got to be worth trying.

Tens Machines work by generating a tiny low voltage electrical current that is made to oscillate at frequencies usually between 2 and 250 Hz. The current has an adjustable bandwidth usually up to around 300 m/secs and the output intensity can be varied from zero to a maximum level which will vary according to the Tens Unit you're using. In addition the delivery of the electrical current can be varied. For example it can be "constant" (i.e Frequency and Bandwidth are fixed), it can "pulse" (i.e in effect the current turns on and off rhythmically) or it can "modulate" (Frequency and bandwidth are constantly changing to a preset pattern).

The electrical current is transmitted to your skin surface via Tens Electrodes strategically placed directly on your skin close to and either side of the source of the pain you're treating.

Modern Tens Electrodes are made from a flexible material (usually cloth) one side of which is covered in a special adhesive gel which is electrically conductive. The TeNS Electrode is connected to the Tens Unit via a lead wire about a metre in length.

Some Tens Units support just one pair of Tens Electrodes but the better quality Tens Machines support two pairs of Tens Electrodes.To maximise the effect of your Tens Unit you almost always should use two pairs of Tens Electrodes.Tens Machines supporting two pairs of Tens Electrodes are referred to as being "Dual Channel".

All good Tens Machines offer you a choice of several preset programs. The better quality Tens Machines include programs that can be changed by the patient. Despite what you might hear there is no magic setting - there is always a high degree of trial and error to find the best and most effective setting for you. A setting that might work extremely successfully for you may be ineffective for your partner - and visa versa.

In the absence of detail instructions being included with your TeNS (take them with a pinch of salt anyway!) select any of the preset programs to begin with. Again there's no absolute rule for where you place your Tens Electrodes but as a general rule you place them close to and either side of the source of your pain. If for instance you suffer lower back pain you would place your pair of Tens Electrodes either side of your spine 7 to 10 mm (3 to 4 inches) apart. Position one pair just below the pain source and the second pair just above the pain source.

Having chosen your program and with your Tens Electrodes in position and connected to your Tens Unit turn your Tens Machine on. Increase the intensity of one pair of electrodes until you can feel a strong but not uncomfortable tingling sensation. Then repeat the process with the second channel.

After just 2 or 3 minutes, if the Tens Machine is working for you, you should feel your pain subside and hopefully disappear. Leave your Tens Machine running for 30 minutes or so and then turn it off. If your Tens Machine has really worked for you your pain will have gone altogether. Magic!

If your first attempt isn't successful try moving the Tens Electrodes to a different position. A small move can make a big difference. I always say "you'll know when they're in the right place because you'll feel the tingling sensation overlaying the pain".

Regardless of the success of your first attempt you should always try different programs. Some will be better for you. Some may not work at all.

Never give up. Remember more than 70% of people using a good Tens Machine in the correct way experience significant pain relief. If its good enough for Pain Clinics to use it's got to be good enough for you.

What have you got to lose other than your pain?