TENS application for sciatica pain

Woman is holding her buttocks and lower back area due to pain. It's sciatic pain.

Sciatica is the medical term for damage to the sciatic nerve with noticeable pain, some of which can also radiate into the legs. Pain in the buttocks and lumbar spine caused by sciatica can be treated with TENS pain therapy.

Regular use of electrical stimulation can help you relax muscles and reduce the intensity of pain in the area around the sciatic nerve[1]. Furthermore, the TENS therapy can have a blood circulation-promoting effect [2]. Pain relief through TENS is achieved by blocking the transmission of the pain signal to the brain and stimulating the body to release endorphins (the body's own painkilling messenger substances)[3].

TENS electrode placement for sciatica pain

In order to specifically stimulate the sciatic nerve and the affected areas, we recommend our 5x5 cm electrodes for the lower back area. These can also be used universally for a variety of applications. Alternatively, you can also use the large back electrode, as with lumbago.

For the area of ​​the legs and buttocks we recommend our large 12x7cm electrodes, which allow a larger area treatment. For the combination of electrodes for pain relief in sciatica, as shown in the picture, you need a TENS device with at least 3 channels, e.g. our 4-channel TENS EMS combination device STIM-PRO X9.

Buy the appropriate electrode now

  • This guide is for orientation purposes and does not replace the supervision of a doctor or therapist. Please follow the warnings and safety instructions of your device. Changes and errors are possible.

  • Number inside the circle: Channel number

    Circle color: Red = Electrode 1, Black = Electrode 2

The recommended programs for axion TENS devices

*The STIM-PRO Eco is a manual TENS device. If you have not received parameter settings from your therapist, please use a frequency range between 70 and 120 Hz (burst mode 2 Hz) and a pulse width range between 150 µs and 200 µs.

Please note when using TENS:

The intensity should be adjusted so that it is felt as a pleasant tingling sensation. The duration of the application should be approx. 40 minutes in order to be able to achieve a lasting reduction in pain. It also makes sense to switch programs every now and then.

What causes sciatica pain?

The advantages of pain treatment with TENS

  • From everywhere

    You can use TENS therapy anywhere. It doesn't matter whether you're sitting comfortably on the sofa or in the office.

  • Drug free

    TENS pain therapy is an alternative to drug pain treatment

  • At any time

    You can use TENS flexibly and at any time. Success can already be achieved after the first treatment

  • Free of side effects

    When used correctly, pain treatment with TENS has practically no side effects

Studies and scientific sources

[1] Marchand, S., Charest, J., Li, J., Chenard, J.-R., Lavignolle, B. & Laurencelle, L. (1993). Is TENS purely a placebo effect? A controlled study on chronic low back pain. Pain, 54(1), 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3959(93)90104-w

[2] Cramp, Gilsenan, Lowe & Walsh. (2000). The effect of high- and low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation upon cutaneous blood flow and skin temperature in healthy subjects. Clinical Physiology, 20(2), 150-157. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2281.2000.00240.x

[3] Ortu, E., Pietropaoli, D., Mazzei, G., Cattaneo, R., Giannoni, M., & Monaco, A. (2015). TENS effects on salivary stress markers: A pilot study. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 114-118. https://doi.org/10.1177/0394632015572072

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