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I was waiting for someone else to answer this question. I recently bought my second one. All I needed both times was a doctors prescription and of course money. The second time I was on medicare and medicare and the supplement paid for almost all of it. I have four electrodes from each unit ,though at times I only need two. They work for muscle spasm very well. As Phil said the sensation is pleasant , especially when compared to the pain from the muscle spasm. The impulses are rhythmic and actually help me sleep. At time the unit is necessary to stop the pain so I can get around .I am not a PWP and saw an orthopedist for a bad back. I don't remember if I had any kind of insurance the first time I got one. All the prescriptions said was " one tens unit" You buy the electrodes, which are reasonable and can be reused or disposable ( but which can be used a number of times ) All in all an excellent piece of equipment. Nita Phil E.Gesotti wrote: > 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+