The TENS Tour

Everything You Need to Know

Welcome to The TENS Tour—your complete guide to understanding TENS therapy from the ground up. Explore its origins, clinical studies, expert product recommendations, and real customer reviews as you discover how this FDA-cleared technology can help you take control of pain, naturally and effectively.

What is TENS?

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation—a safe, non-invasive therapy that uses low-voltage electrical pulses delivered through electrode pads placed on the skin. These gentle pulses help reduce pain by stimulating nerves, blocking pain signals, and encouraging the release of natural endorphins.

Commonly recommended by doctors and physical therapists, TENS is a trusted, drug-free solution for managing both acute and chronic pain, including joint discomfort, muscle soreness, and nerve-related conditions.

The Origins of TENS Therapy

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) has roots dating back to ancient practices that used electrical fish to treat pain, but modern TENS therapy was developed in the 1960s as a non-invasive, drug-free solution for pain management.

The technology was first introduced by Dr. Clyde Norman Shealy, a neurosurgeon, who was exploring alternatives to invasive spinal cord stimulation. The idea was based on the Gate Control Theory of Pain, introduced in 1965 by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall. This theory suggested that stimulating sensory nerves with gentle electrical pulses could "close the gate" to pain signals traveling to the brain.

By the early 1970s, portable TENS units became available for clinical and home use, and today they are FDA-cleared, widely recommended by physical therapists, and trusted by millions for chronic pain, injury recovery, and musculoskeletal relief.

Scientifically Proven

Supported By More Than 1,000 Peer-Review Articles

Overall, systematic reviews affirm TENS is safe, non-invasive, and may provide meaningful relief particularly for musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain when applied correctly

TENS, EMS & Microcurrent: What's the Difference?

Electrotherapy includes different modalities like microcurrent, TENS, and muscle stimulation (EMS)—each serving a unique purpose.

  • Microcurrent uses ultra-low electrical currents to promote cellular repair and healing, often without any sensation.
  • TENS targets nerve pathways to block pain signals and release endorphins, providing drug-free pain relief with a mild tingling feel.
  • EMS stimulates muscles to contract, helping with muscle strengthening, recovery, and circulation.

Electrode Pad Placement Made Easy

To get the most effective results from your iReliev TENS or EMS device, it's important to follow proper pad placement guidelines. Simply select the body area you're targeting, and we’ll show you step-by-step illustrated placement diagrams to ensure correct positioning and posture during stimulation—so you get the relief or muscle training you're looking for, safely and effectively.

Electrode Pad Guide

8 Ways to Care for Your Electrode Pads

Proper care and storage can make a big difference in preserving the life of your electrode pads. While most users get around 20–30 uses at 30 minutes each, cleaning the pads, storing them in a resealable pouch, and keeping them cool and dry can help you extend their lifespan significantly. A few simple habits can lead to better performance and long-term savings.

Watch Video

Find the Perfect TENS Unit or Electrodes

Why Choose iReliev for TENS Therapy?

Since 2014, over 1 million people have trusted iReliev for safe, effective pain relief. As a pioneer in over-the-counter electrotherapy, we introduced the first FDA-cleared TENS + EMS combination unit for consumer use in 2015—setting the standard for innovation in home pain management.

We’re proud to be a Google Exceptional Store, offering top-rated customer support, extended 2-year warranties, and a commitment to quality that’s earned the trust of users nationwide.

But above all—we genuinely care. Whether you're managing chronic pain, recovering from injury, or simply want to feel your best, iReliev is here to help you every step of the way.

Try us today and experience the iReliev difference.

eBooks on TENS Units: Their History, Benefits & Everyday Use

  • Electrode Pad Placement & Care Guide

    Proper care and storage can make a big difference in preserving the life of your electrode pads. While most users get around20–30 uses at 30 minutes each, cleaning the pads, storing them in a resealable pouch, and keeping them cool and dry can help youextend their lifespan significantly. A few simple habits can lead to better performance and long-term savings.

    Get eBook

  • The History of Electrotherapy

    Electric fish, Benjamin Franklin, attacks by the FDA ... there's more to the rich history of electrotherapy than meets the eye. From Humble beginnings in ancient Egypt to low-key studies in the 20th century, electrotherapy has never been without its proponents. Learn how this safe, non-invasive treatment went from groundbreaking to pseudoscience to life-changing once more.

    Get eBook

  • The Science Behind TENS Units

    In recent years, electrotherapy has made a big impression. Not only has it become more relevant in medical homecare, but it has also turned into a staple for many athletes. Plus, loads of professionals, such as chiropractors and physical therapists, are using it in their offices or recommending it to their patients for home use. But as this form of therapy excites and intrigues, people want to know: How does it work? What does it do? Is there a science behind electrotherapy that we can trust?

    Get eBook

What Our Customers Say

  • It's One of the Best

    I have chronic back pain.i have a bad curvature of my spine. Fusion of my lumbar vertebrae. Pinched nerves scoliosis and .I am in constant pain. I can not take narcotics and if I did not use my tens Unit life would be unbearable. I wear mine all the time. I swear by irelieve. It's one of the best. 🙏

  • Relieve Tens is amazing!

    I suffer from horrific sciatic pain. This Tens unit is by far the best I’ve purchased! It’s wireless, I bought the extra pods so I have them changed at all times. There are days where getting out of bed is just horrific, but with this, it’s as good as going to the Chiropractor and having it done there… except I can drive, walk, run my errands, go to work while wearing it! It’s worth every penny! So happy !

  • I am impressed with your Help and Customer Service

    Thank you so much for the additional pads. I am impressed with your help and customer service. I love the product and highly recommend it to family and friends, now I will add exceptional customer service to the reasons they should also choose IReliev.

  • Very Helpful When Combined With Some Yoga

    I have had groin pain for years and have even had one operation and pain-blocking shots. While that all helped it didn't solve the problem. Now, in combining this TENS unit with some pelvic floor yoga, I find that my groin pain is much less than before. The unit itself is fairly easy to use after a little learning curve. A few false starts and I figured it out. I am now using it twice a day and, while not pain-free, I feel much better. Still, keep in mind that this is part of the solution, not the whole solution as adding in a bit of yoga seems to be needed, for me at least.

  • Love this Wireless TENS

    What a difference using this new Wireless TENS! I love the snap-on Pads. Quick and easy. And its strong current already helped the pain in my legs, back, neck and shoulders. I love that It's so portable - so great being able to move around without wires getting caught up in my tshirt or yoga pants.
    The videos on YouTube helped with setting it up with Channels etc. Thanks for such wonderful Reliev.

  • Great wireless tens unit out there.

    I have tried a lot of wireless unit out there. I wasn’t sure I wanted to paid this much for this, I thought I’ll try it, and probably be sending it back. This is so great easy to use, I just love it, works great for pain, I can have it on for 1hour and feel great, afterwards. You do have to charge it more it holds for about 5 hours I just charge at night.It is well worth the money to spend for a wireless unit, I thought for sure I would have to go back to wires.I have this 2 weeks,

  • What The Doctor Ordered

    I have the Aleve (blue one) a while ago and wanted to get it again. Went with WiTouch, who is the original maker of this that licensed it to Aleve. BUT, what I did prefer about the Aleve one is that it had a remote control. This one did not.If you have back pain, operating this manually is a little ironic since you are twisting your arm around your back to turn it on and raise and lower the power of the TENS device.If you want to save a little get this thing, if your back can handle it. But, if you want to be a little economical like me, this performed just as well as the Aleve version minus the added benefit of a wireless remote.

  • Neuropathy relief

    Really cuts down the pain in my feet and legs

  • Love it

    Love it, once I figured out how it worked it’s fabulous

  • Years of relief for my back!

    I have used this particular type of TENS for lower back pain which I have had for years. This is my fourth replacement. The units are easy to use, (no wires), and they last a long time. I use my unit two times a day. The electrical stim session lasts 30 minutes and users can adjust the electrical charge to their liking. The negative is that the electrode replacement pads that come with this unit do not last many uses before they stop adhering to the skin and they are quite expensive IMO. My solution to that was finding a source of medical grade electrode gel in LARGE tubes that I use to extend the life of the pads by applying the gel on the surface of the pad. I would recommend this item for lower back pain relief.

  • Best investment ever!

    Been using this on the TENS setting for over 5 years and it is absolutely the best investment I've ever made. I've some degenerated discs and use the tens 3, 6 and 8 settings for pain relief. You're not supposed to sleep with it but sometimes my pain is so bad a 30 min setting is the only way I can fall asleep. A battery lasts a long time, only changed it once in 5 years. If you need replacement pads I recommend buying the iReliev brand. The cheaper knockoffs don't hold up and cheap adhesive irritates skin.

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