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!

They don't work for everyone so we can never guarantee 100% success for any individual patient. However the vast majority of patients experience significant if not total pain relief when using their TeNS. Nowadays they're 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 particular model 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 self adhesive (and single patient re-usable) Electrodes strategically placed directly on your skin close to and either side of the source of the pain you're treating.

Modern 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 Electrode is connected to the Tens Unit via a lead wire about a metre in length.

Some machines support just one pair of Electrodes but the better quality devices (dual channel) support two pairs.

All good Tens Machines offer you a choice of several preset programs. The better quality ones 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 available (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 pads 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 both pairs either side of your spine 7 to 10 mm (3 to 4 inches) apart. Position one set just below the pain source and the other just above the pain source.

Having chosen your program and with your electrodes in position and connected to your machine turn 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 its working for you, you should feel your pain subside and hopefully disappear. Leave it 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 pads 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 their 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?