Training
There is no specific training regimen for the use of TENS and many people purchase them for home use. However, professionals who utilize TENS as a treatment modality include physical and occupational therapists, physiatrists and/or pain management specialists, and physicians specializing in sports medicine, obstetrics, urology, and anesthesiology, among others.

Official Licensing Bodies
There is no license needed to use TENS units. They are available to purchase for home use. If you receive treatment through a professional, the training for that profession would apply.

References:
Bertoti DB. “Electrical stimulation: a reflection on current clinical practices.” Assistive Technology. 12(1):21-32, 2000.

BioStimTherapy.com. “Electrical Pain Relief” and “TENS Pain Management Applications”. Available at www.biostimtherapy.com.

The Canadian Internet Directory for Holistic Health: Wellnet Health and Wellness Network, “How Does TENS Relieve Pain.” Available at http://wellnet.ca/tens.htm

Gadsby JG and Flowerdew MW. “Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2): CD000210, 2000.

Gadsby G. “Electroanalgesia: historical and contemporary developments — selections from the PhD. thesis of Dr. Gordon Gatsby.” Available at www.pmt.medical.com.

Hamza MA, White PF, Ahmed HE and Choname EA. “Effect of the frequenc6 of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on the postoperative opioid analgesic requirement and recovery profile. Anesthesiology. 91(5):1232-8, 1999.

Kaye V. “Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.” eMedicine Journal. 2(7): July 18, 2001.

Meyler WJ, de Jongste MJ, Rolf CA. “Clinical evaluation of pain treatment with electrostimulation: a study on TENS in patients with different pain syndromes.” Clinical Journal of Pain. 10(1):22-7, 1994.

Robinson AJ, “Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the control of pain in musculoskeletal disorders”. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 24(4:208-26, 1996.

Section on Clinical Electrophysiology of the American Physical Therapy Association: Ad Hoc Committee, “A Review of Research Articles Relating to the Efficacy of Electrical Stimulation to Alleviate Pain and Strengthen Muscle.” Available at www.aptasce.com.

White P, Li S and Chiu, J. “Eletroanalgesia: its role in acute and chronic pain management.” Anesthesia & Analgesia. 92(2): 505-513, February, 2001

Content last modified on Sep 4, 2003