If you are living with Sciatica, you understand how debilitating the pain can be. The immense pain can impact daily life and make moment during a flare up a real challenge. If you have ever been treated by a doctor or chiropractor for sciatica, they have most likely used or recommended you use a TENS device – or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
This small, electrode, battery operated device can be a game changer for sciatica pain.
According to WebMD, there are 2 possible reasons why TENS unit therapy relieves pain:
“This may be because the electricity from the electrodes stimulates the nerves in an affected area and sends signals to the brain that block or “scramble” normal pain signals. Another theory is that the electrical stimulation of the nerves may help the body to produce natural painkillers called endorphins, which may block the perception of pain.”
Top Qualities To Look For In A TENS Unit For Sciatica:
- Multiple Intensity Levels: You want a device that ranges in intensity levels from gentle pulses for more sensitive areas to powerful pulses for larger muscle groups. All the models we review have 20 or more levels of intensity.
- Setting Options: Customization is the key to getting relief. Finding the right mode to treat your condition is paramount to pain management. The units we have tested have settings modes that include Knead, Acupuncture, Tap, Cupping, and more
- LCD Display: A backlit LCD display allows you to navigate through features with ease day or night.
- Automatic Timer: No one wants to be checking the clock to see how long they have been using a TENS unit. The option to simply set the timer so you can read, watch tube, or just relax while in use is a must-have when choosing your device. Once the timer is up, the device automatically shuts off.
1. Pure Enrichment PurePulse Pro
The Pure Enrichment Pure Pulse unit promises medical-grade pain management and boy did it deliver. It is the most recommended units by physical therapists and chiropractors and it is our Top Pick because of its 25 different therapeutic intensity levels. With the unit’s 4 electrode pads and connector lead extension, it’s easy to treat sciatica pain. Select from 8 preset therapy programs and adjust the timer from 5-60 minutes on the LCD display. It is AAA battery operated and has a belt clip to make portability a breeze. Additional electrode pads are widely available and a fraction of the cost compared to other devices.
Here’s what other users are saying:
- Totally worth the investment
- Must have product for aches and pains
- Gave Sciatica relief when nothing else helped
- Long lasting batteries included
- Portable unit that treats multiple areas at once
- No instructions necessary, the display explains it all
2. HealthmateForever YK15AB
This top-selling unit. the HealthmateForver YK15AB, allows you to apply all 8 pads at the same time, which is ideal for someone suffering from Sciatica pain on both sides of the body. The 15 unique modes and over 20 levels of intensity, this unit is sure to help with a range of pain management tools – from cupping to acupuncture modes. The belt clip on the back of the display make it ultra-portable and hand free. It uses AAA batteries that last a surprising amount of time according to users.
Here’s what other users are saying:
- Better than what my chiropractor uses
- Very well made
- Easy to use
- the machine works GREAT and it’s backed with a lifetime warranty
- A surprisingly powerful and versatile unit
- It was a huge help
3. Zewa Spabuddy Sport Tens Pain Therapy
The Zewa Spabuddy comes equipped with 30 intensity levels, the most of any units that we tested. The AAA battery powered Zewa Spabuddy features 2 independent channels with 8 different preset programs. It is also the most simple device to operate, even the most technically deficient would do well with it – the generous sized screen helps. One feature that makes this unit stand apart from the pack is the lock button for the settings on the side of the device to ensure that you don’t inadvertently change modes or intensity. The timer ranges from 5 – 95 minutes of targeted therapy. You can use 2 or 4 electrode pads depending on the type of relief you are in search of.
Here’s what other users are saying:
- Love that there is not a lot of settings to deal with
- Simple, intuitive and effective. Score!
- hard to beat for the price and functionality
- My back loves Zewa
- The sticky pads stayed sticky
- Incredible how it takes away the pain, quiets muscle spasms
4. HealthmateForever TENS Unit
With 10 pre-programmed massage modes, 10 levels of adjustability, and 2 output channels that work simultaneously to allow separate treatments to be applied to different areas at the same time with a single machine. The HealthmateForever Unit model that we reviewed that has a rechargeable lithium battery, which can last up to 10 hours of continuous use. This unit can be set and forgot about at with is 10-80 minute timer.
Here’s what other users are saying:
- The charge lasts forever
- Wonderful
- It travels everywhere I go – I don’t leave home without it
- Love this product
5. Omron Electrotherapy Max Power Relief
Don’t let the two electrode pads the Omron unit comes with fool you. They claim it gives the unit 2X the power and our testers concurred. With 15 levels of intensity and 9 preprogramed modes- including tap, knead, and joint – this unit is highly customizable. Users love the size of this AAA battery operated device which is smaller than a smart phone equipped with a belt clip for maximum portability. Although it only features two electrode pads, they are oversized and cover quite a bit of area.
Here’s what other users are saying:
- It’s amazing how much pain you can fix with
- Perfect, comfortable, and easy to operate
- Relief right where and when you need it
- Boost in power from the previous model
- Multiple settings to cover all sorts of pain and areas which are easy to use
