TENS
Medical abbreviation · Rehabilitation
| Stands for | Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
TENS stands for Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, a rehabilitation abbreviation.
Pain relief method that delivers mild electrical currents through skin electrodes from a small battery-powered unit, thought to work partly by blocking pain signals and stimulating endorphin release.
Example: TENS 20 min to lumbar paraspinals, pain 6/10 to 4/10.
Usage notes
Home units are available without prescription. Precautions include avoiding use over the front of the neck, over a pregnant abdomen and in patients with certain implanted devices, unless cleared. Medicare coverage for chronic low back pain TENS was restricted after a 2012 decision.
Related abbreviations
More rehabilitation abbreviations
- SPT – Stand pivot transfer
- ST – Speech therapy
- STG – Short-term goal
- STM – Soft tissue mobilization
- STS – Sit to stand
- TDWB – Touch-down weight bearing
- TLSO – Thoracolumbosacral orthosis
- TTB – Tub transfer bench
- TTWB – Toe-touch weight bearing
- TUG – Timed Up and Go
- US – Therapeutic ultrasound
- VFSS – Videofluoroscopic swallow study
See all 98 rehabilitation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.