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Anne, A TENS is a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator. Don't you just love these names. There are various models, but mine has an electronic unit that looks like a pager that you wear on your belt. There are two electrodes about an inch and a half square with an adhesive gel that allows them to be attached to the skin. The electrodes are attached to span the area of the painful contraction. The stimulator applies a voltage across the electrodes which causes a current flow across the skin. The higher the voltage the deeper the current penetrates the skin. The theory is that this causes a release of endorphins (natural pain killers). But for me it also eventually causes the muscle to relax. I know having a current flowing across your skin doesn't sound too appealing, but it actually feels like a massage and is quite pleasant. Since it is only FDA approved for pain relief, you have to convince your neuro that you need it and he/she will need to write a letter justifying it to the insurance company. I found this out the hard way and ended up paying for it myself. $425. I'm in the process of trying to convince PD researchers to explore broader use of the TENS to relieve PD symptoms. Phil Gesotti 50/46+