If you live with chronic pain as a result of long-term illness, pregnancy or injury, use of a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine can be a real boon, providing fast and effective relief to many people—so much so that you may choose to purchase one for home use. However, choosing the right TENS machine for you is a little more complicated than going for the cheap and cheerful option, and there are a number of qualities you should look for when shopping around for TENS machines.
Batteries
Some TENS machines are capable of taking ordinary batteries, but these will drain quickly, so ideally you should look for a machine with a rechargeable battery (a spare battery is also a valuable inclusion). Make sure that the machine is capable of providing several hours of stimulation from a single charge, as the amount of time it takes for a TENS machine to start relieving pain after turning it on can be unpredictable.
Electrodes
When seeking to buy a TENS machine, the first components you should inspect are the electrodes. These adhesive pads contain the circuitry that transmits the pain-relieving electricity to your body, so it goes without saying that they are probably the most important part of the machine. When inspecting electrodes, keep the following things in mind:
- How many electrodes do I need?—For localised pain, two may be sufficient, but more widespread pain may require four or more electrodes to achieve total coverage. Prices of TENS machines tend to go up significantly with the number of electrodes offered, so don't buy a machine with more electrodes than you really need. If your pain is more widespread on some days than others, you may want to consider purchasing a dual-channel machine, which allows you to activate individual electrodes depending on your needs.
- How well made are the electrodes?—Electrodes will eventually need to be replaced as they wear out, but you should look for well made, sturdy electrodes that can take a little punishment, especially if you intend to use your TENS machine while travelling. You should also make sure the adhesive backing is strong enough to stick to your skin while you move.
- How many replacement electrodes come with the machine?—You should make sure that your machine comes bundled with a good amount of replacement electrodes and adhesive pads, as they can be expensive to buy separately.
Controls
Any TENS machine you purchase should be fully adjustable to provide different levels of electrical charge. This allows you to tackle minor pain without wasting battery power. You may also find that you need to use a higher power setting if you use your TENS machine frequently, as nerve endings become used to the electrical stimulation and pain relief becomes less effective. Make sure that the controls on your TENS machine are not easily knocked (ideally they should come with a removable cover), as accidentally leaning on your power controls can deliver a rather nasty shock.
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