Where to Place TENS Pads for Best Results

A TENS unit is a popular pain relief method that uses electrical stimulation to release the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals in order to reduce pain without the use of pharmaceuticals. The electrical impulses can provide relief from a variety of conditions, including arthritis, back pain and fibromyalgia.

What’s more, TENS units are user-friendly, making them an easy investment for those who want to reduce their use of prescription pain relief or address chronic pain. But it's important to know where to put TENS pads in order to get the most relief. Keep reading to learn about TENS pad placement for different types of pain and discover common mistakes to avoid.

Clean and dry skin before placing TENS electrodes.

Placing TENS electrodes on dirty or oily skin can interfere with the electrical signals and make them less effective. It can also cause the pads to stick poorly. Always read the directions that come with your specific TENS unit, but clean, dry skin will likely offer you the best experience. Additionally, some units use electrodes that benefit from placing a small amount of gel beneath the electrodes.

Avoid bony areas and broken skin with TENS placement.

Whether you’re exploring TENS pad placement for lower back pain or for another ailment, you must avoid any areas that are injured or have broken skin. You should also avoid TENS unit placement on sunburned skin. It’s also not recommended to place electrodes directly on bony areas of a joint, such as the patella or the elbow bone.

Preferably, there should be a little muscle or fat beneath the skin where you place the electrode. Plus, you want the electrode to be fully flat on the skin. If it is popping up in places, it can send its pulse through the surface of the skin instead of penetrating more deeply to the intended area.

To ensure they are applied correctly, don’t be afraid to use pressure to adhere your electrodes flush with the skin. It’s also important to note that TENS pads should never touch each other, so be sure to keep them at least one inch apart.

Where to place TENS pads for neck pain and back pain.

When it comes to TENS placement for sciatica or chronic neck pain relief, it’s best to use at least four electrode pads. Each pad is connected to a certain number of channels, either dual or quad. A TENS unit’s channels refer to the number of lead wires that are plugged in at the same time to the electrode pad. For sciatica, you can place electrodes on opposite sides of the middle of the lower back and the top of the buttocks. Or you can concentrate them on one side of the back and buttock. Other than these two options, you can also try keeping like channels on each side or alternating them. You can also place two electrodes with the same channel on either side of the lower back and two more from the other channel on the interior of the back of the thigh.

For lower back pain, you can place two electrodes on each side of the central lower back (again, you can match or alternate channels). Or you can place two matching channels on one side of the lower back and two matching channels between the lower shoulder blades.

For neck pain, you can place two electrodes on either side of the back of the neck (alternating or matching channels). Or you can move the lower set down and spread them a little farther apart along the trapezius muscle (keep matching channels on matching sides of the body for this). You can also place two matching channels on either side of the back of the neck and two along one side of the trapezius.

Popular areas for TENS unit electrodes on the arms and legs.

For tennis elbow, you can put two electrodes on the same channel on the muscles surrounding the outside of the elbow.

For carpal tunnel syndrome, place electrode pads along the inside of your forearm, one near your wrist and one a little below your elbow joint. You can also place one on either side of the wrist, avoiding the bony areas.

For hip pain, you can place two electrodes on the same channel on the lower back to the side of the spine and two on the other channel on the outside of the back of the thigh and the lower buttock. You can also place them diagonally along the side of the buttock below the hip bone.

Getting the most out of your TENS unit placement.

This article provides just a few of the placement areas and techniques that you can use as part of your health and wellness routine. If you need more ideas, you can find many useful TENS placement charts online that can point you toward options for your specific needs. Often, the manufacturer of your TENS unit will include an electrode placement chart with instructions on how to use your TENS machine, so make sure to read your manual before use. And of course, you should always check with your healthcare provider about proper placement to ensure that you get the most out of your TENS unit.

Additional information:

These statements and any information contained herein are intended for educational purposes only and are not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. Carefully review product labels for instructions and important safety information and consider consulting with a health care professional regarding your use of health and wellness products.