A non-invasive, drug-free modality that delivers low-voltage electrical pulses through the skin to modulate pain signals — used in-clinic and prescribed for home use for chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.
TENS uses a small battery-powered device to deliver mild electrical currents to nerves under the skin — dampening pain-signal transmission and stimulating the release of endorphins. It is one of the most extensively studied modalities in pain medicine, and forms part of our multimodal approach for patients whose pain has not settled with rest, activity modification or manual therapy alone.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (low back, neck, shoulder), post-surgical recovery pain, osteoarthritis flares, and selected neuropathic pain syndromes where medication alone is insufficient or undesirable.
Electrode pads are placed around the painful area, and a clinician tunes frequency and intensity to your comfort. Typical in-clinic sessions last 20–30 minutes; most patients feel a comfortable tingling rather than a shock.
For patients who benefit in-clinic, we can prescribe and set up a home unit so you can continue treatment between visits — with review appointments to check response and adjust settings.
TENS pairs well with our physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation and injection therapies. It is a modulator of symptoms — not a stand-alone cure — so we position it inside a broader plan.
Generally safe. We screen for pacemakers, implanted defibrillators, pregnancy, and skin conditions at the electrode sites before recommending TENS. We will always discuss the small risks (skin irritation, muscle twitching) so you can make an informed choice.
Our clinicians will take a proper history, examine you, and give you a clear plan on the day.