Die transkutane elektrische Nervenstimulation (TENS) – eine effektive und effiziente physikalisch-medizinische Methode

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a nondrug, noninvasive, well-established analgesic treatment method that can be offered as an inpatient, outpatient or home treatment. As electrotherapy, TENS is a physical–medical therapy and is classified as so-called low-frequency therapy. In most cases, small portable devices are used for home therapy, whereby electrical energy is transmitted to the peripheral nervous system via electrodes using an external stimulator. The use of TENS therapy is very widespread, safe, inexpensive, and effective, i.e. efficient. TENS is applied either at a lower frequency (around 2–4 Hz, known as low-frequency TENS) or at a higher frequency (around 70–100 Hz, known as high-frequency TENS). TENS is typically indicated for pain syndromes in the musculoskeletal system such as tendomyopathies (e.g., tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, achillodynia, heel spurs), osteoarthritis and degenerative spinal syndromes, temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, residual limb and phantom pain, postoperative pain and gynecological pain syndromes such as pelvic pain. TENS can also be used safely and effectively in late pregnancy. The use in neuralgia, radiculopathies, mononeuropathies (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) and polyneuropathies is an interesting, nonmedicinal option. TENS devices for analgesic TENS home treatment can also be used to perform so-called transdermal auricular vagus nerve stimulation using a special probe, which is typically applied in the left ear.