TENS is a machine that sends small electrical pulses through your skin. Depending on the setting, it can affect your nerves or it can cause chemicals to be released in your body. With either setting, the purpose of TENS is to help relieve pain.

Physical therapists may apply TENS to your injury site to help decrease your pain while you participate in the physical therapy routine. They may also use TENS to help decrease your pain just after you participate in a physical therapy routine.

People with chronic pain (pain that never goes away) may want to buy or rent a TENS machine so that they can wear it most of the day to decrease their pain. Some women use TENS while they are going through labor and giving birth. Talk to your physical therapist and they will give you information about these options.