WhyTens is my favorite number

Yes, I’m cheating a bit. TENS isn’t really a number, but if the title of this column included that TENS is an acronym for “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation,” you may have skipped reading this. And that would be too bad because this small battery-operated device can relieve pain. It did so for me, and I’ll share several success stories from other people as well.

by Jan Cullinane

How and why does a TENS machine work?

I consider myself active, and in pretty good shape, but I guess I didn’t account for a day of pool play with my two young grandsons that involved repeatedly throwing them up in the air in our swimming pool. Lots of fun, but my right shoulder became very painful.

I tried several things over the next few days— an oral anti-inflammatory, BENGAY, an ice pack, rest, a shoulder massage from my husband, and a topical anti-inflammatory, but nothing did the trick. I mentioned my discomfort to a friend, Cathy, who told me she had a TENS machine, which she and her husband utilize frequently for a variety of aches and pains. I had never tried one before. After giving hers a try and experiencing great results, I purchased my own.

To operate the unit, adhesive electrode pads are attached to the skin on either side of the affected area. When you turn the machine on (which is about the size of a TV remote control), small electrical impulses are sent to nerves near the painful area. You feel a painless tingling sensation. It’s thought that TENS works by reducing pain signals to your spinal cord and brain and/or increasing the production of our body’s own natural painkillers, called endorphins, which are produced by our nervous system.

Who can benefit?

According to the renowned Cleveland Clinic, TENS can be used for treating a number of issues including pain in muscles, tendons, and joints; lower back pain; bursitis; tendinitis; and osteoarthritis.

The machine should never be used on certain areas including infected or broken skin, eyes, head, throat, over the heart, front or sides of neck, or near cancerous lesions.

The scientific studies of TENS units show mixed results, but enough people have reported benefits that a TENS unit can be worth a try for pain relief. I’m glad I used it—and I do NOT think it was a placebo effect. I was skeptical that it would work, but was utterly surprised and completely delighted by the results. I used it a few times a day for two days (detailed instructions, tips, warnings, and contraindications are included in the directions that come with each unit). My pain was completely gone, and it’s been several months. Perhaps it would have disappeared anyway … I’ll never know.

I did an informal and unscientific survey of some friends (including tennis friends—I figured they would be a rich source of aches and pains!) and relatives and found that: John A. used TENS after a terrible car accident for the back of his neck; Roger C. used it for his sore back; Gene L. (a tennis pro) used it for golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, and uses it for “on and off” recurring back issues; knees must be popular, as Mary R. used TENS to assist in her knee rehab after surgery as did Bob P. and Pete K., coupled with physical therapy. On a less positive note, Jody A. tried a TENS unit for plantar fasciitis, and it did not help. Several people shared that they have used a TENS unit for years.

Where can you buy one and how much does it cost?

If you think it’s worth a try, TENS units can be purchased at many national chains, including Walmart, COSTCO, Walgreens, CVS, and Target; I ordered mine from Amazon. There are various prices and brands, but mine was $29.99 with 5.5 stars and had more than 16,000 reviews (the tennis pro’s unit was $36.95). A TENS machine does not work for everyone and everything, but based on my experience, it has made TENS my new favorite number.

Jan Cullinane is an award-winning retirement author, speaker, and consultant. Her current book is The Single Woman’s Guide to Retirement (AARP/Wiley).