Confusion reigns supreme when one tries to find a tens unit on the internet.  It's so bewildering for the patient who generally has heard of the "pain machine" and is now searching trying to find out what it is and how to buy.   Unfortunately there is very little good factual information on how to compare one tns unit to another and also if the company that is selling the unit is reliable. 

    To help clarify we've put in a short summary of help with the most used terms on the internet as of today, March 10, 2010, to help you understand what is being referenced and also is it factual or somewhat deceiving.

Below is a partial summary of the terms being used to find a "tens unit", ie. pain machine, on the internet and what the patient/potential customer is looking for:



how to use a tens unit - patient probably has unit but no way to understand how to use - try a video
empi tens unit - a brand name
tens unit placement - where do I put the electrodes?
tens unit reviews - is one better than another?
tens unit for back pain- again, what do I do for my back pain
muscle stimulator - this is NOT a valid tens unit term - be wary of anyone saying their tens is a "muscle stimulator"
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation - person seeking information on theory of how works
ultrasound - confused between electrical and mechanical energy
ems unit - this is a muscle stimulator, not a tens unit
interferential unit - much stronger and more effective than tens for pain, carryover pain relief
pens unit - might be referring to a "percutaneous" (under the skin surgically placed electrodes)
tins unit - nice try and simple misspelling
mens unit - actually is a micro electronic nerve stimulator - jury out on efficacy for chronic pain on this
tens 3000 - name given to specific model of tens unit
tens 7000 - "
intelect tens - big clinical unit for hospitals, not patients
tens 2500 - specific model
tens 6000 - specific model

     We have a long way to go in educating how tens units, interferential, electrotherapy is used to help chronic pain patients.  With proper education the success rate will skyrocket.