What TENS is
TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Small pads are placed on the skin around a sore area, and a unit sends a mild electrical current through them. Most people feel it as a buzzing or tingling sensation that can be turned up or down.
At SYMETRx, TENS is a comfort tool used alongside the rest of your care. It does not fix the underlying problem on its own, and we will not describe it that way.
Why it is used
The idea behind TENS is that the tingle gives the nerves something else to pay attention to, which can make pain easier to manage for a while. Research on how much it helps is mixed, and results vary from person to person. Many people simply find it a comfortable way to settle a sore area before or after other care.
Dr. Matt and his professional care team decide whether it belongs in your plan after the examination, and we explain why.
Who we often use it with in Manatee County
- People in a flare-up. A back or neck that has tightened up after storm cleanup, a long day on a boat, or a move.
- Car-accident patients. Sore neck and back muscles in the weeks after a collision on US-41, Manatee Avenue or I-75.
- Long-lasting pain. Part of a broader plan for back and neck pain that has hung on for months.
- Working people short on time. A few minutes on TENS can be added to a visit without much extra time.
What a session is like
You sit or lie comfortably, the pads go on, and the intensity is turned up slowly until you feel a strong but comfortable tingle. A session usually lasts a few minutes up to about fifteen. It is typically paired with chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy and corrective exercise.
When it is not a chiropractic problem
This is the part most clinics leave out, and it matters more than anything else on this page.
Common questions
Does TENS hurt?
It should not. Most people describe a buzzing or tingling feeling. We turn it up slowly and keep it at a level that feels comfortable.
Does TENS fix the problem?
No. It can make pain easier to manage for a while, and it works best as one part of a broader plan that addresses how the area moves.
Who should not use TENS?
People with a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, pregnant women, people with epilepsy, and anyone with broken or irritated skin at the pad site should not use it without a medical doctor’s approval.
Can I use TENS at home?
Some people do. Ask us at your visit, and we can talk about whether it makes sense for you and how to use it safely.
TENS supports other parts of care. See chronic pain care for long-lasting pain, back pain care and neck pain care for where it is used most, and whiplash treatment after a collision. It all begins with an evaluation at our Bradenton chiropractic clinic on 6th Avenue East.
How care works here: chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy and corrective exercise.
Next step
Ready when you are — three ways to start
Not everyone wants to pick up the phone, and you should not have to. Any of these reaches the same team at our Bradenton office.
Or have us call you
Tell us how to reach you and we will call to schedule your visit. No obligation, and we handle the insurance paperwork.
Prefer email? Write to info@symetrxchiro.com.