Written by Morgan Hopkins, DPT, CMTPT
Perhaps one of the most innovative methods of helping to relieve nerve, joint, and muscular pain is through the use of TENS and NMES units. TENS units and NMES units are a popular method of pain relief and muscle re-education, offering safe, effective, and drug-free relief from a variety of musculoskeletal pain.
Naturally, many customers find themselves wondering which device is right for their specific needs? For this reason, we’ll walk you through some of the most important features and benefits to consider when shopping, and then recommend a few of the most popular models from our catalog.
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TENS Units (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) send gentle electrical impulses to the skin and to your nerves. These impulses block the body's nerve pathways that indicate pain and they stimulate endorphins, aka the feel-good chemicals in your brain.
Contrary to TENS, NMES units (neuromuscular stimulation) work by sending electrical impulses directly to the muscles with the goal of stimulating muscle contraction. NMES therapy improves muscle function in people with conditions that impair the ability to generate muscle activity.
TENS therapy is primarily used for pain relief and can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals including those suffering from acute injuries, arthritis, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. It's important to remember that TENS therapy does not remedy your pain, it only blocks the pain signals from going to your brain.
NMES is receiving increased attention in the last few years because of its potential to serve as a rehab modality and strength training tool for healthy people and athletes and a post-exercise recovery tool. Besides serving athletes, NMEs can also be used following a stroke or spinal cord injury and helps prevent or slow down muscle weakness, reduce pain, improve motor impairment, and reeducate and strengthen weakened muscles.
In some cases, a healthcare professional may suggest using a combination of both treatment types. This recommendation is not uncommon for treating musculoskeletal injuries, particularly those that involve both pain and weakness. In fact, this combined method of treatment is common enough that many products are designed to provide both types of electrical stimulation to patients.
Naturally, there are a number of things to consider when purchasing a NMES or TENS unit. Certain features may make some units better for treating one patient’s needs than another’s, so it’s important to consider all of your options, making sure to pick the one that functions best in the role that you need it for.
Most NMES and TENS devices will offer a range of strengths to determine the intensity of the electrical stimulation. This range allows users the flexibility to decide which level is the best for helping relieve their pain, and it's great if you want to ramp up/down the intensity. However, the range offered by each device may differ, and it is therefore recommended that customers review the range of each product when making a purchase.
NMES and TENS devices often include predefined treatment times during which they offer relief and then automatically stop when the treatment time is complete. For example, many devices have a 30-minute run time for a full treatment. If you need a longer or shorter treatment time, it may be important to consider the device’s options before making your final purchase. To determine the amount of treatment time that is best for your condition, you may need to consult with a physician.
Channels are the term used to discuss the number of available outlets for your lead wires to be connected. Typically a single ‘lead’ or wire extending from the device will include two connections for electrodes, so a single channel device allows you to use two electrodes at a time, a dual channel allows you to use either two or four, and so on.
Depending upon the area you need to treat, having more or fewer leads can be important to make sure the entire area is addressed. For example, to treat a wider area - on the back, for instance - more leads may be better, while fewer leads will be needed for treating a smaller area like the knee.
Another important working feature for both TENS and NMES units is the way it is powered. Battery-powered devices are less expensive initially and have the added convenience of no charging time, while rechargeable devices are often pricier initially but save you the cost and hassle of having to replace batteries over time. Ultimately, however, the power source is a personal choice mostly based on your lifestyle and which option you feel would be more convenient for your needs.
While it may seem obvious, one commonly overlooked consideration regarding NMES and TENS devices is their size and weight. The size and weight of devices can vary depending on a number of factors, such as its battery size, for instance. Because of this, it is important to review the size of a device to ensure that you will be able to transport it easily if needed.
In addition to choosing between either TENS or NMES therapy, many patients find it beneficial to combine both of these modalities, sometimes along with even more options for an all-encompassing pain relief solution. Because of this, many units are available that include both NMES and TENS capabilities, so if this is something that may benefit you, a combination unit might be the right choice.
The iReliev 7070 TENS / EMS Combo Unit is a versatile, dual-purpose device designed to provide effective pain relief and muscle recovery. Combining Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) technologies, this system offers customizable treatment options to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote muscle strength and conditioning.
The SaeboStim Pro is a cutting-edge neuromuscular electrical stimulation device designed to aid in the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological impairments. It assists in improving motor function, reducing spasticity, and promoting muscle re-education by delivering targeted electrical stimulation to affected muscles. Ideal for stroke survivors and patients with other neurological conditions, the SaeboStim Pro offers customizable treatment options for optimal recovery.
TENS and NMES units are both devices that use electrical stimulation to relieve pain, however, they differ in that NMES units deliver impulses that cause muscle contractions, while TENS units use impulses to block pain signals from the brain. Both modalities can be used to treat a range of conditions, but NMES tends to be better for retraining weakened or inhibited muscles, while TENS can be used for pain relief specifically on any part of the body.
Choosing the best TENS and NMES units requires careful consideration of various factors such as the type of pain or condition you have, the level of intensity and frequency of the electrical impulses, the device's portability and ease of use, and your budget. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional or a physical therapist to determine the most suitable device and settings for your specific needs.
Ultimately, investing in a high-quality TENS or NMES unit can provide a safe, non-invasive, and effective method for managing pain, enhancing muscle strength, and improving overall well-being.
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Morgan Hopkins is a licensed doctor of physical therapy and freelance medical writer. She practiced clinically in outpatient orthopedics for 8+ years specializing in intramuscular dry needling, dance medicine, and post-operative care. Morgan seeks to be a leader in the continued shift toward preventative healthcare, helping people optimize movement now so they can move for years to come. She is a firm believer in complementary therapies, holistic wellness, and functional fitness and is thrilled to be able to educate others through Rehabmart’s platform.
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