The Best Tens Unit For Back Pain Relief
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, more commonly known as TENS, is the practise of using electrical currents to stimulate nerve endings in order to relieve pain.(1.) TENS Units are battery operated devices that connect to the skin and provide electrical pulses to the target area, stimulating the nerves for the desired result of relieving acute and chronic pain.
What are the best Tens Units To Relieve Back Pain
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My No.1 pick Best Budget Tens Unit (Under $50) For instant Sore Back Relief –
HealthmateForever TENS Unit 6 Modes For Back And Neck Sciatic Pain Relief –
TheHealthmateForever TENS Unit is a lightweight, very small, portable electrotherapy device that provides pain relief through electric stimulation. The device works by stopping nerve endings from transmitting pain signals to the brain.
What I really like about this TENS Unit is the fact that you don’t need to use disposable batteries. It has a rechargeable internal lithium battery that provides power for up to 10 hours of continuous use. This is great compared to other inexpensive TENS units because battery free means it will be lighter and therefore easier to put in your pocket and carry around.
Another feature I really like is the simultaneous dual output design that allows the 6 pads to be used in two different areas of the body. The pads are easy to stick to the skin and also have a little pull feature on the top of the pad for removing the pad from the skin without having to touch the gel underside.
The TENS Unit comes with 6 different programmed modes allowing you to choose which type of pulse you want. Once you have chosen the mode you can then adjust the strength of the pulses with 20 different levels of intensity, just by pressing the “+ button”. The unit also comes with a nice little acupressure point chart showing the body’s different pressure points and how these pressure points are linked to other common areas of pain.
The HealthmateForever TENS Unit is a portable and lightweight device that is good value and effective at stimulating nerve endings and subsequently providing relief to acute and chronic pain.
Pros –
- Portable & lightweight
- Rechargeable internal lithium battery
- 6 modes of pulse
- 20 levels of intensity
- Dual system output to target two areas of the body at the same time
- 6 reusable pads
- Comes with Acupressure and pain point chart
- Lifetime warranty
Cons –
- Warranty seems limited. Must pay $20 for shipping replacement

Best Mid-Range ($50-$100) Tens Unit To Provide Electric Pulse To Relieve Pinched Nerve Pain –
iReliev TENS Massager Unit & (20) Electrode Pad Bundle for Joint And Muscle Pain Relief –
The iRelieve TENS Massager Unit is the size of a credit card but still packs a punch with electric nerve stimulation. The device has dual output allowing you to use the unit in two areas of the body. The unit uses 3 AAA batteries, therefore, is not rechargeable.
However, the device does not eat up power, therefore, the batteries will last a long time. 20 reusable electrode pads are provided but need to be replaced after around 30 times of use. It has 8 modes of stimulation and 25 levels of intensity, allowing you to choose the perfect nerve stimulation for you.
I like that it comes with a handy clip and holster that makes it very easy to carry the TENS Unit around and is concealable under clothing.
The unit can be timed from 5 to 60 minutes and will also automatically shut down power if the pad loses contact with the skin, which is great for preserving battery life. No gel is needed for the pads and each 4 pads come in a tamper proof bag.
The FDA approved iRelieve TENS Massage Unit is a great tiny device that provides great nerve stimulation and can relieve joint pain, pinched nerves, Sciatica, arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome and muscle spasm pain.
Pros –
- The size of a credit card
- 20 electrode pads included
- Clip and holster provided for easy carry
- 8 modes
- 25 intensity levels
- Automatic shut off when skin contact is lost with pad
Cons –
- Not rechargeable

Best High Range (Over $100) TENS Unit For Muscle And Pinched Nerve Pain Relief –
HealthmateForever Touch Screen TENS unit 12 mode ElectroTherapy Device Pulse Massager –
The HealthmateForever Touch Screen TENS Unit is as small as an iphone but makes you feel like you have just stepped into your local therapist. The Unit is more expensive than the average TENS Unit, however, it will be worth the investment.
The device has got a touch screen which I really like because it allows you to choose one of the 12 modes at a touch of a button.
Another great feature is the ability to not only target two different areas of the body with this one unit but the user can also change the intensity levels for each separate area. This means that if one area has more pain than the other, you can increase the intensity level on the more painful area without changing the intensity level of the other area.
This is a lightweight unit that is portable and it comes with a locking system that allows you to walk around with the unit without fear of it changing settings or turning off. The device has 20 levels of intensity that can be changed in channels A or B, independently.
If you are looking for a high quality TENS Unit to provide pain relief for arthritis, tension pains, rotator cuff injuries, joint pains, herniated disks, muscle spasms and joint pain, then the HealthmateForever Touch Screen TENS Unit could be the one for you.
Pros –
- Lightweight and portable
- 20 levels of intensity
- 12 modes
- Dual channels to target two different areas of pain at once
- Can change intensity independently in each channel
- Has touch screen
- Lock system, therefore, will not change settings when you are moving around
- Lifetime warranty
Cons –
- More expensive than the average TENS Unit

Conclusion
TENS Units are small portable devices that provide electrical pulse therapy to nerve endings in the body and can provide pain relief to a host of conditions. They work by transmitting electrical pulses from the device into pads that are connected to the skin. These pulses prevent the nerve endings from transmitting pain signals to the brain.
They are a safe and effective way of treating pain and providing acute and chronic pain relief without the need for pharmaceutical drugs. If you found this article helpful you may also be interested in another method of therapy in the form of heating pads which use moist heat to treat chronic neck, shoulder and back pain.