- Reference Number: HEY1687/2026
- Departments: Pain Medicine
- Last Updated: 30 September 2026
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your health care professional but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.
What is a TENS?
You may be experiencing pain during your hospital stay or as an outpatient. Following discussion with the Pain Management Team, TENS may be recommended as an option to help manage your pain.
A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that can help you manage your pain. It works by delivering gentle electrical impulses through the skin to stimulate the nerves.
These electrical impulses help reduce the sensation of pain by interfering with the pain signals travelling to the brain. TENS can be used to help manage both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) pain.
The machine is connected by wires to adhesive pads that are placed on the skin over or near the painful area. The pads deliver the electrical impulses from the battery-powered unit.
TENS works by stimulating nerves that carry other sensations, such as touch, which can help override or block pain signals. As a result, the brain receives fewer pain messages and the pain may feel less intense.
A simple example is when you knock your elbow and instinctively rub the area. The pain signal is still present, but the sensation of rubbing can help reduce how strongly you feel the pain. TENS works in a similar way.
Why do I need TENS?
TENS may help if pain is affecting your daily activities, sleep, mobility, or overall quality of life. It is a non-invasive treatment that can be used alongside other pain management strategies and may reduce the intensity of pain, allowing you to carry out everyday tasks more comfortably. TENS does not cure the underlying cause of pain, and its benefits vary from person to person.
Can there be any complications or risks?
TENS is generally considered a safe treatment and most people use it without any problems. Some people may experience mild skin irritation, redness, or itching where the adhesive pads are applied. This is usually temporary and settles once the pads are removed. You may also find the electrical sensation uncomfortable if the intensity is set too high, but this can be adjusted to a comfortable level.
TENS should not be used over broken or damaged skin, on the front of the neck, or while driving or operating machinery. It may not be suitable for people with certain medical devices, such as a pacemaker, or for those with some medical conditions. Your healthcare professional will advise you if TENS is appropriate for you.
If you experience any unexpected symptoms or discomfort while using TENS, stop using the device and seek advice from your healthcare professional.
How do I prepare for using TENS?
Please read this leaflet carefully before using your TENS machine. You may wish to share this information with your family, carer, or anyone involved in your care so they can support you in using the device safely and effectively.
No special preparation is required before using TENS. You can continue to take your usual medications, including pain relief, unless you have been advised otherwise by your healthcare professional. You may eat and drink as normal before using the device.
Before applying the TENS pads, ensure that your skin is clean, dry, and free from creams, oils, or lotions, as these can affect how well the pads stick to the skin. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being treated. Inspect the skin where the pads will be placed and do not apply them over broken, irritated, or infected skin.
If you have any implanted electrical devices, such as a pacemaker, or if you have any concerns about using TENS, please discuss these with your healthcare professional before starting treatment. They will advise you on how to use the machine safely and where to position the pads for the best effect.
What will happen?
If you are an inpatient, a member of the Pain Management Team or the healthcare team caring for you will discuss whether TENS may be suitable and may provide a machine for trial use during your hospital stay. The machine must remain in the hospital and should be returned to ward staff when it is no longer required or before discharge. If TENS is discussed during an outpatient appointment, a machine will not be provided on loan for use at home; if you choose to try using a TENS machine, you will need to purchase your own device following advice from the team. The outpatient service does not provide loan trial machines. Outpatients who wish to use TENS at home are responsible for purchasing and maintaining their own machine, leads, batteries, and adhesive pads.
A member of the healthcare team will talk to you about your pain symptoms, medical history, and any questions you may have about TENS therapy. They will explain how TENS works and discuss safe pad placement and settings. Inpatients will be shown how to use the hospital device safely; outpatients will be advised about selecting and using their own device.
TENS therapy is a non-invasive treatment and does not require an operation, injection, or anaesthetic. The adhesive pads will be placed on the skin near the painful area and connected to the TENS unit. Once the machine is switched on, you will feel a tingling or buzzing sensation. The intensity can be adjusted so that it remains comfortable.
If you decide to use TENS, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the advice given by your healthcare professional. Begin at a low intensity and gradually increase it until you feel a strong but comfortable tingling sensation. You will be advised how often and for how long to use the device.
TENS therapy is not expected to cause pain. If you experience discomfort, you should reduce the intensity or stop treatment and seek advice from your healthcare professional.
You should continue to take any prescribed pain medication unless advised otherwise. Your healthcare professional may discuss how TENS can be used alongside your existing pain management plan to help control your symptoms and improve your daily activities.
What happens afterwards?
As TENS is a non-invasive treatment, no recovery period is usually required after use, and you can generally return to your normal daily activities immediately. You may notice mild redness where the pads have been applied; this usually settles quickly. If you are an inpatient, the TENS machine is for use during your hospital stay only and must be returned to ward staff before discharge. If you are an outpatient and purchase a TENS machine, you will be responsible for using and caring for your own device in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The effects of TENS vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate pain relief while the machine is in use, while others may notice a reduction in pain symptoms for a period of time afterwards. TENS does not cure the underlying cause of pain, but it may help you manage your symptoms more effectively and improve your ability to carry out everyday activities.
You should continue to follow the advice of your healthcare professional and use the TENS machine as recommended. If you find the treatment helpful, it may form part of your ongoing pain management programme alongside other treatments, exercises, or medications.
If your pain worsens, you develop skin irritation that does not improve, or you have any concerns about using the device, please contact your healthcare professional for advice. Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet ask the ward staff to contact the pain team.
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
Consent to treatment
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.
The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
Information about you
We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.
We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.
If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.