Pain relief isn’t something that can be easily achieved sometimes. I can speak from experience, that pain exists, and sometimes no matter what you do, nothing brings relief. Throughout my life, I have survived some horrendous accidents and have suffered from pain because of them. The iTENS creates an alternative to over-the-counter drugs, and topical creams and ointments that might bring you temporary relief for a short period of time. Why not try a treatment that might give you better, long-term results?
Before I started blogging, I was an EMT/Paramedic for 24 years, and before that I was a veteran of the U.S. Army. I really had to give up being a Paramedic because of pain. In October of 1998, I had a 4000 pound passenger van fall on me during a rescue, while I was working with Cleveland EMS, in Cleveland, Ohio. Things changed drastically that day in my life. I was told by many doctors that my career as a Paramedic was over, and that I needed to consider going on disability. I wasn’t quite ready to settle for that answer, and found a doctor and a physical therapist who believed enough in me to take that road with me. I was 29, and just didn’t feel I had given enough yet, and didn’t want to give up what I loved doing most.
Part of the therapy I received used a tens unit as part of my daily regimen to try and get better. In that time, having a unit like that at home for everyday use was not even a thought back then. It took a year of the worst pain that I have ever had to endure to find a way to come back to work. I worked another 13 years past that incident, but with a pain of about 6 or 7 out of 10 everyday. A few years ago before I ever considered starting my blog, the pain rose to a 10 daily. I couldn’t take it anymore, it was unbearable, and I was passing out at work because of it. I hung my boots up for the last time, and faced the harsh reality that my days as a Paramedic were over. I have just started to accept it recently, but suffer pain in several areas where over-the-counter and even some prescription medications fail to give me any relief what-so-ever.
The fine people over at iTENS offered me an opportunity to review one of their products, and I have to say that it has now been added to be one of my favorite gadgets so far this year.
What does TENS stand for? it stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.
The iTENS device is the world’s first FDA-cleared, true wireless TENS therapy device that is controlled with an IOS or Android based app. No prescription is needed for this approved over-the-counter, drug-free way to combat pain.
In the picture below, you can see the charging base for the unit. This is where the brains of the unit sits to be charged before and after use. The iTENS unit can then be attached to either the small or large wings depending on the body part or area you want covered.
Everything was pretty easy to set up. For best effective use, ensuring that the device is fully charged will give optimal results. Following the directions provided are easy, and you will be getting use out of the device in no time.
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- Here is the ITens unit sitting in the base charging.
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- Wings ready to be attached to the iTens unit.
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- Wings with gel pads attached.
I attached it to my right ankle as the first trial run, and to get use to the features of what the iTENS is capable of. Once you have the iTENS app installed on your phone, mine went on my android based phone, syncing it to the unit was extremely easy.
I took a screenshot of the app below, so that you can see some of the different features it has. Once I selected the body part, in this case, my ankle, the timer started from 30 minutes, and you are able to adjust the amount of intensity. Different body parts will react differently, depending on the settings that you select.
I have to admit, I felt some minor relief after the 30 minutes was done. I am looking forward to seeing what this can do for other body parts like my back, my knew, and my wrist. I am sure individual results will vary, and depend on proper placement, and what settings you use.
The advantages of having the iTENS unit allow you to make changes and adjustments to your unit via Bluetooth without having the need to remove the TENS unit while it is in use, like on your back.  You also get up to 24 hours of continual use off of a 2 hour charge, versus units that use alkaline batteries. The iTENS unit can also provide feedback to your treatments, and keep track of what you have done, to see what works and what doesn’t.
Visit the company’s website here, to find a list of indications for use, to see if this is something that might help you, and give you some relief in your everyday life.  Not just because I am a Paramedic, but a general statement covering this, even though this is FDA approved, if you have questions or concerns about using this for something, speak with your Doctor first.
I love that it has two different sizes of wings. With 2 sizes, you can get concise coverage for ankles and wrists, to having the larger size for thighs and your back. You can use the device without the app, but that only gives you one setting, and no control over changing the options, or tracking the results.  You can also use multiple iTENS wings at the same time.
The unit costs $99.99 and you choose which sized wings, small or large you want to begin with.  The company says the wings last approximately 6 months depending on the usage that you have. Replacement wings are $26.99 each, and gel pads are $6.99 a box, and last 10-12 uses.
If you plan to use this quite a bit, I could see that this might start to get expensive. I will have to follow up if I think the pain relief, outweighs the long term costs. Overall, I am excited about this product and the control that you have over it, with your iPhone, or Android Smartphone.
Have you ever used a TENS unit before? what do you like about this one that makes it different? Do you think you are going to try it? This might make a great gift idea for Dad too, Father’s Day is coming, check out my guide here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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I’m glad that someone has the energy, time, and interest to do these reviews for us!
I don’t have pain but my sister does and this United States might help with her pain. It sounds interesting.
I would definitely get one of these. I have several friends that are using them with excellent results. One man couldn’t sit at a restaurant for any time without having to get up and move is now able to sit and enjoy himself.
Great review and interesting product. Thanks for sharing
I have a TENS that is wired. I would love this one. I could wear it anywhere.
My mom used it on her back and she said the felt it helped her lower-back pain!
This review is full of needed information. I have seen similar items in the drug store that could be used on your back. I never knew that they made smaller products that could be used on other parts of the body.
Never seen one of these before, probally will not try this one
No problem. Thanks for the comment. Have a great day!
Being a paramedic is a tough job, we have several friends who have been one over the years and all have moved into the ire department or are on disability. It is fast paced, lots of lifting and being where others dont want to be. I am glad the TENS is helping you, I havent tried one and have health problems. It would be interesting to try out.
I live with chronic pain daily and I am very interested to know if the relief outweighs the cost. This seems like it could be a useful tool to have in the pain relief arsenal if it’s worth it.
Informative review. Sounds like a great device and I’d love to try it. Too bad I can’t afford a smartphone to use the app.
This is really interesting. I like how it allows you to change the intensity of it. Very high tech! 🙂
My sister has a wired tens unit that she sometimes lets me use when my neck or back are bothering me really bad and it really does work. I can only imagine that the wireless one would be so much better and easier to use. I will have to check into this.
I have never seen one like this. I will have to let family members that suffer from pain know about it. Interesting.
This review is so valuable to me! I have never heard of this product so I was very interested in what it could do. I have 2 sons who suffer with back pain due to accidents at work, and in a car. I thank-you so very much for this is a gift I’ll share now with everyone who suffers..I am so very sorry though that you have had to suffer for so long before finding this. Blessings Friend!
Pretty interesting. Much better than shoveling meds down to keep the pain away!
I wonder if this would work well for my husband’s knee pain. I would have to ask him if he would want it.
This is very interesting technology. As a chronic pain sufferer from a brain injury, this would be very beneficial. Thank you for sharing the information, I will be checking it out.
I am a physical therapist and use TENS occasionally for my patients for pain relief. It can really help out the right person.
Thanks so much for your comment Natalie. Have a great day! ~Tom
Wow! I use a TENS unit for chronic pain and although it only relieves a small part of the pain, it’s totally worth it. Anything that helps us awesome. I’m very impressed with this unit, though and have never heard of anything like it! I love that it syncs with your phone and that you have so much control!
My wife has talked to me about TENS units she has used while working at the hospital. We recently saw them in the store and thought they might be helpful for recurring back pain. Thanks for all the information, its helpful!
What an interesting product. You normally hear about pain patches, but not things like this!
I have not heard of iTENS before but it sounds very interesting. My husband has pain in right leg that they Doctors can’t figure out why. It’s frustrating.
I have not tried iTENS, but it sounds very interesting. It really amazes me what technology can do these days! 🙂
Vey interesting review. My BF has one and it does help his pain.
I know someone who was using something similar to this for her back – she used it all the time and said it really helped. I’m sorry this happened to you, yikes at 29 a career dedicated to helping people and a veteran – not fair. I’m amazed you stayed working at it that much longer. It is people like you who have made our country great. I hope this works good for you and good success with the blog. Doing good posts are hard. I tried a blog for fun, it lasted about a week! Do you know the story about Aetna’s CEO? How he had an almost fatal ski accident (way before becoming a CEO) – in fact, he had been a paramedic. His docs figured he’d be on strong meds due to constant debilitating pain. He has found ways to deal with the pain, but it doesn’t sound easy. If you google around you can find it.
I haven’t tried one of these yet, but it might be something I have to look into. I have damage and swelling around my right shoulder blade. When it decides to swell even the slightest bit, I get pinched nerves and end up a super grump for the rest of the day. Plus that’s small enough for me to just toss in the desk drawer when I’m not using it which I like.
This sounds like a great way to relieve pain, it’s so high tech! I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and wouldn’t mind seeing how this works!
With fibromyalgia I assume this would be a great match for me and the muscles that need pain relief. I try to do things naturally and this seems like the way without having to take medication.
This looks interesting with the wireless technology. I have an older unit that has various settings with wires to attach four little pads and I let my brother try it when he got hurt. This would be less clumsy.
I hurt my back a couple of weeks ago. I can usually get through something without having to take anything for the pain; but not this time. The pain was so bad that I had to start taking Ibuprofen. First I only had to take it once a day; and then I had to start taking it twice a day. And the first couple of days it would start to ease the pain within an hour; but over the next week it began taking longer and longer to start easing the pain. I had to start taking it every 8 hours, instead of every 12 and it was taking longer and longer to start to work. So I tried Tylenol to see if it would work better; no pain relief at all from the Tylenol. Next I tried Naproxin. It did ease the pain, but I didn’t like how it made me feel.
Then I remember the old TENS unit that my husband has. I started using it and over the next few days I noticed less and less pain. I do believe that using it twice a day has really helped. It’s not a new version TENS unit, but it still works.
Thanks so much for your comment Sandy, I appreciate it. I hope you start to feel better, feel free to share my article with others ~Tom