Back pain is considered to be the number one cause of disability in the world. This type of pain accounts for 264 million lost workdays per year in the U.S. and affects 80% of the human population. And because of how central it is to every movement, back pain can impact practically everything we do.
When it comes to treating back pain, most people are given treatments such as:
Medications
Hot/cold therapy
Muscle relaxants
And physical therapy
And while they are effective, they typically don't provide immediate relief. Not only that, but many medications can have harmful side effects and involve the risk of addiction.
If you're struggling with back pain, you may have heard of TENS therapy. Using a TENS unit for back pain is an effective, safe, and holistic way to find relief.
In this guide, we'll go over the essentials including what these devices are (how they work), are TENS machines good for back pain, how to select the ideal settings, best practices, and upper, middle, & lower back pain TENS unit placement.
TENS therapy, also called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, involves using a TENS device to send low voltage electrical currents to the skin. These small pulses stimulate nerves to eliminate the sensation of pain.
TENS back therapy is an excellent pain relief tool for various types of back injuries, including:
TENS treatment for back pain provides relief in two ways:
TENS units provide the advantage of customizing pain relief. Electrodes can be placed over the target area and arranged for the desired treatment. Also, most feature various intensity levels and modes that vary the shocks being administered.
The evidence for answering "does TENS help back pain" has been conflicting, but there is some evidence proving it does.
One study concluded that TENS therapy was merely a placebo without additional benefits. However, a 2016 meta-analysis with 267 patients suffering from chronic lower back pain found it to be effective. Additionally, the study found it to as the potential to reduce pain medication reliance.
A 2019 study found that TENS was effective in reducing pain and increasing satisfaction for 44 patients with acute back pain who were waiting for emergency medical treatment.
A study from the University of Florida Health found TENS therapy to relieve lower back pain in older adults. The study found TENS therapy to achieve:
While studies have been conflicting in results, users do report positive results:
There are various types of back pain TENS units treat. This section breaks down the various type of back pain TENS devices treat.
Muscle pain is the most common pain type TENS units treat. They're recommended by the NHS and many studies have found them to be effective in treating:
TENS therapy provides a calming effect which makes them effective in muscle rehabilitation. This makes stretching the injured muscle more manageable.
TENS therapy is recommended by the Brain and Spine Foundation and the Foundation of Peripheral Neuropathy as a neuropathic pain treatment. It targets nerves to disable them from sending pain signals to the brain, making it an ideal method of nerve pain relief.
One of the most common fibromyalgia pain relief methods is TENS therapy. This condition is well under-researched and understood by healthcare professionals. However, it is commonly characterized by widespread muscle and bone pain. TENS therapy for fibromyalgia has been found to be effective in a few studies:
When applying TENS therapy to back arthritis, results have been 50/50. A Cochrane review conducted in 2015 found some evidence showing pain reduction. However, 50% experienced a placebo. More research on the effects of TENS on arthritis is needed.
TENS units are regularly used and recommended for those in surgery recovery. These devices have been found to minimize post-surgery pain while reducing dependency on prescription medications.
Spinal cord injuries can make movement challenging because of pain from damaged nerves. TENS therapy can enhance physical therapy by minimizing pain to make movement less painful.
When it comes to using a TENS unit to relieve back pain, there are a few best practices. Below, we offer our most essential tips for those new to TENS.
One of the most common questions asked is, "which TENS unit setting is best?" There is no best setting as no pain is universally the same. Also, some people are equipped with nerves that are more responsive to TENS therapy. Meanwhile, others may require a higher setting. Below, we've highlighted our essential tips for selecting TENS unit settings.
It's standard for most TENS units to have preset modes which set the pulse rate and width automatically. This is great for those new to TENS therapy or looking for a quick setup. Standard modes include:
Pulse rate (measured in hertz (Hz)) refers to the number of electrical pulses delivered per second. Lower pulse rates are more effective for chronic pain whereas larger rates are better for acute pain. Below, you'll find which range of Hz is ideal for muscle stimulation, acute, and chronic pain.
The length of the pulse administered is the pulse width. This equates to the amount of time the shock is delivered, measured in microseconds. A larger pulse width provides stronger stimulation.
The strength of the electrical pulse equates to the intensity level. The standard range of intensity for TENS devices is 0 to 80mA. However, there are stronger OTC devices able to go up to 100mA. The stronger your pain, the higher the intensity required. Just be sure to start at the lowest setting and increase it as needed.
One of the many advantages of TENS therapy is that it can be used as often as needed with no side effects. Based on your pain type, we recommend these time durations:
To effectively treat the pain, pads must be placed properly to conduct the electrical current through the pain area. The proper placement allows the device to block the pain nerves. Follow these best practices when using electrode placement for back pain.
Most causes of upper back pain are from poor posture or soft tissue injuries including sprains and strains from looking down continuously. If you're using a TENS unit for upper back pain, this placement guide showcases the proper pad positioning for relief.
Spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs are a few common middle back pain causes. This pad placement guide showcases the best placement for middle back pain.
Lower back pain is typically caused by lifting heavy objects or unsafe methods. Use this guide for low back TENS placement. Using your device for lower back pain may prevent you from bending over. When bending over, your pads can become undone.
No back pain is the same, making customized treatment essential.
TENS therapy offers a safe and customizable method of back pain relief. However, the device you use is important. You'll want a brand that's reputable and delivers true TENS. Be sure to read the reviews of the device you're considering and ensure it has the settings and capabilities you'll need for relief.
Brandon Landgraf is the Digital Marketing Manager for Carex Health Brands. He finds passion and fulfillment in creating content that enhances, improves, and enlivens others' quality of life. All of his written work is formulated to not only offer essential advice and tips but back it with proven studies and experts. His mission is to connect with readers and provide steps to make their lives better.
Pain sucks. It affects millions of people each year with adverse physical and mental side effects. TENS 7000 provides tools to combat pain and let people live life on their terms, pain-free. Our TENS 7000 TENS Unit is one of the top-rated over-the-counter TENS units, having sold over two million since 2008. Stop letting aches and pain hold you back — live life on your terms.
