How to Properly Use Portable TENS Unit

It is one of the pain management methods used to relieve chronic (long-term) or acute (short-term) pain. Examples of acute pain are sprains, incisional pain or muscle strain because the duration is limited. Chronic pain is a persistent pain that lasts for long period of time even after an injury is healed. A person needs to properly use portable TENS unit in order to check the output of such device.

Step 1

Make sure your digital or manual TENS unit is off. Insert full charged battery or batteries into battery compartment. See to it that positive and negative ends match the label inside the battery compartment.

Step 2

Identify the areas where you will place electrodes as per your doctor’s advice. Wash each area gently with mild soap and water, then rinse and dry it thoroughly. Proper skin preparation allows more stimulation to the targeted tissues, reduces the risk of skin irritation, and extends the life of the electrodes.

Step 3

Insert pin connector into electrode socket. Connect the lead wires to the TENS unit by inserting one lead wire plug into each output jack. The output jacks are usually located at the top of the device which are labeled as Channel 1 and Channel 2 on the LCD display. Make sure both Channel controls are turned to “OFF” position.

Step 4

Remove the protective backing from the electrodes and save such backing for reuse. Place the adhesive (gel) surface of the electrodes on the skin areas recommended by your doctor. Make sure it is secure by pressing the entire surface of the electrode into place. Put them with a minimum of two (2) inches away from each other. Do not place electrodes on cut, broken, or irritated skin. Immediately discontinue using the TENS unit, remove the electrodes, and contact your doctor if skin irritation occurs.

Step 5

Press the “On/Off” button to turn the digital or manual TENS unit on. Choose the program option recommended by your doctor and set your TENS unit to such program setting. Check the output of a TENS unit by pressing “Down Arrow” or “Up Arrow” buttons according to the stimulation (tingling sensation) you can feel. Adjust the output of each channel to your most comfortable intensity level. Clip the belt clip on your clothing.

Step 6

When done using, turn the the portable TENS unit off. Unclip the belt clip from your clothing. Disconnect the lead wires by grasping them by the insulated connector to avoid lead wire breakage. Remove the electrodes gently from your skin and put them back on the protective backing. Then wash your skin thoroughly with mild soap and water. Remove the batteries if the TENS unit is not to be used for 2 weeks or more.

Warnings

A TENS unit should only be used under proper medical supervision and as described by the manual for the patient’s safety. Talk to your doctor if you have specific questions or problems on how to properly use digital or manual TENS unit.

Resources:

Select Tens User’s Manual; Empi; 2008
Prom-550 Digital EMS Unit
Video on TENS Units
Empi
Pain Management and the Amputee
MedlinePlus