TENS Machines for Sciatica - Can TENS Help with Sciatic Pain?

By Tens Machines UK Content Team  .  Last Updated Tuesday, 11th March 2025

What is TENS?

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation or normally known as TENS have become a widely used product for several conditions, pains or other reasons, but it is widely used amongst a mixture of age groups.


Tens machines produce a small electrical current that focuses heavily on muscle stimulation and nerves, targeting sensory nerve endings that control your pain caused by injuries and muscle spasms. This electrical current passes through your muscles and nerves and sends a message to the brain to release chemicals called endorphins to the body, the body’s natural pain killer. Whilst sending this message to the brain to release this chemical, it will also send another message to block signals to pain receptors around the affected or treated area (where the electrodes are placed).

Is a Tens Machine good for Sciatica? 

Tens Machines are fantastic machines that help with pain relief, especially sciatica. TENS can relief sciatica pain as it does other conditions – stopping radiating or even sometimes shooting pains that some customers have been known to have.

A Tens unit is a safe, non-addictive and often a tradition remedy when aiming at pain relief from sciatica. Usually when treating sciatica – most treatments are connected to drugs or regular visits to a chiropractor, sometimes customers have found themselves having to have anti-inflammatory injections before they’ve found a Tens machine that can help them.

Usually, the main causes of Sciatica pain is:

  • Cervical Spinal Stenosis – The is commonly found in those who are 50 and over.
  • Lumbar Herniated Disc – The lumbar herniated disc is when the inner layer leaks because of a rupture of some sort. The disc is the soft inner material in the spinal cord.
  • Degenerative Disk Disease – Degeneration is common with older age and in most cases can lead to inflammatory proteins leaking from the vertebrae affecting roots in the nerves.

Tens Machines relieve sciatica pain like no other machine can do. One of the major benefits when using a Tens Unit is that you will not have any side effects, compared to your other possible treatments available.


What is Sciatica?

Sciatica manifests as pain that courses along the path of the sciatic nerve, extending from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. Typically, this condition arises from pressure on a segment of the nerve due to a herniated disk or bone overgrowth, resulting in inflammation, pain, and often numbness in the leg.

While the pain linked to sciatica can be intense, it usually alleviates with appropriate treatment within a few weeks. Severe cases accompanied by notable leg weakness or changes in bowel or bladder function may necessitate surgical intervention.

Termed scientifically as neuropathy of the sciatic nerve or sciatic nerve dysfunction, sciatica is frequently mistaken for general back pain. However, it transcends mere back discomfort, given the sciatic nerve's status as the body's longest and widest nerve, extending from the lower back, through the buttocks, down to just below the knee.

Back pain presents in diverse forms, appearing suddenly and briefly (acute) or persisting for extended periods (chronic). Its onset can be immediate following an injury or gradual over months, posing challenges in pinpointing the exact cause. Over-the-counter medications can offer relief for specific types of back pain, but more robust medications and surgical interventions may be necessary for others.

Key Points about Sciatica:


How to use a Tens Machine for Sciatica?

The first question many people ask is when using a Tens Machine for sciatica is How Often Should I Use my Tens Machine? – We usually recommend a single treatment be as little as one 30-minute session, however other customers have used it for several hours a day – it’s really the user’s preference as to how long and how many times a day they choose to use it.

That all being said, we recommend not overusing it per day – perhaps once or twice if using for a prolonged period as the body may become used to the treatment and it could work against you, or perhaps not work as well as it should.


Tens Machine placement for Sciatica (Electrodes)

Placement of your tens electrodes is key when treating sciatica with Tens Machines.

  • Lower Back Pain – Attach both pads on the lower back with the backbone in the centre of the pads. Do not place the electrodes on the backbone of the spine.
  • Hip / Thigh – Attach one pad on either side of your hip or on the area where you feel the most pain.
  • Sciatic nerve – The placement of these electrodes will be on one side of the lower back (do not place on the spine or backbone). Attach one pad below and above the region of pain, both same side.


Best Tens Machines for Sciatica

We have two very popular machines that help with Sciatic pain, but it’s really depending on the users preference of machine choice and lifestyle.

  • Our Wireless Tens Machines – This is an incredibly popular choice due it being wireless and bluetooth. This makes it super easy to move around without the wires getting in the way but it also fits perfectly anywhere on the body and can be discreetly used under clothing. This has become an incredibly popular due to the look, the easy of using (no wires) and it comes with the latest technology.

  • 4 Channel TENS & EMS Machine - Our latest 4-Channel TENS & EMS Machine has gained immense popularity, primarily because it allows you to treat up to four areas of your body simultaneously. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals with sciatica, as it effectively targets pain relief in the back and extends treatment down the leg.
  • Combo 3 TENS, EMS and Massage Machine – Our newest model the Combo 3 TENS, EMS and Massage is a real go to when it comes to simple to use, great range of electrodes and it's of course good for those with sciatica, and looking for pain relief. 

  • Medi-Boost - This popular machine is an EMS and TENS machine in one, with the ability of improving your general blood circulation in your legs and feet - the machine also has the ability to treat other areas of your body, this includes and isn't limited to your upper leg, lower back and much more, making it a fantastic machine for sciatica. 


Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica pain can occur along the sciatic nerve, a major nerve in your body. Typically, this discomfort starts from your lower back, travels through your buttocks, and extends down your thigh and calf. 

The pain's intensity can range from a mild, dull ache to a strong, burning, or sharp sensation. At times, it can even feel like a sudden jolt or an electric shock. Certain actions like coughing, sneezing, or prolonged sitting can exacerbate the pain. Usually, it affects one side of your body.


Common Symptoms:

  • Pain shooting along the path of the sciatic nerve, from your lower back through your buttock to your leg.
  • Numbness in your leg along the nerve.
  • A tingling sensation, akin to pins and needles, in your feet and toes.
  • Weakness in the muscles of your leg or foot.
  • Occasionally, one part of your leg may experience pain while another part feels numb.

The pain may start gradually and worsen after prolonged standing or sitting. It may intensify at specific times of the day, such as during the night. Actions like sneezing, coughing, laughing, or activities that involve bending backward or walking can also increase the pain.

Key Points to Note:

Typically, sciatica affects one side of your lower body. The pain pathway usually extends from your lower back through your thigh and down to your leg, sometimes reaching your foot or toes depending on the nerve irritation.

For some individuals, sciatica pain can be intense, hindering regular activities. However, for others, it may not last very long, yet it can be bothersome and may potentially worsen over time.

Rare Symptoms:

Sometimes, sciatica can cause rare and severe symptoms. If this happens, it's crucial to seek immediate medical help. These severe symptoms may include:

  • Loss of Control: If you suddenly can't control your bladder or bowels, especially if it happens unexpectedly, it could be a sign of a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome (CES). This needs urgent medical attention. CES can also cause sudden leg pain, weakness, and numbness in certain areas, and even affect your sexual function.
  • Worsening Nerve Symptoms: Sometimes, sciatica can cause nerve problems to get worse. These problems might affect your legs, causing numbness, tingling, weakness, or strange sensations. While these symptoms mean the sciatica is severe, surgery isn't always needed. Treatments like injections or nerve blocks can often help without surgery. It's essential to get medical advice promptly in such cases.

Alternative Treatments for Sciatica


Treatment Advice and Diagnosis
  • Sciatica is a symptom that arises from an underlying medical condition, and identifying and addressing the root cause is crucial. Frequently, it resolves on its own without requiring specific treatment. To alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, your healthcare provider may suggest the following steps:

Pain Relief: 
  • Utilize over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
  • Apply cold packs for the initial 48 to 72 hours, then transition to using heat on the painful area.
  • Tens Machines for Sciatica are very popular machines, they’re not a cure but a pain relief treatment. 

Self-Care Actions:
  • Avoid bed rest, as it's not recommended.
  • Initiate gentle back exercises early to strengthen your back.
  • Gradually return to your regular activities after reducing activity for the initial few days.
  • Steer clear of heavy lifting or twisting your back during the initial 6 weeks after the onset of pain.

Physical Therapy:
  • Your provider may suggest physical therapy to address the underlying condition causing sciatica.
  • Some of these physical activities may be found in our top pain relief treatments for sciatica. 

Medical Injections:
  • Certain medicines may be recommended via injections to reduce nerve-related swelling and alleviate sharp pains caused by irritation.

Consulting Specialists:
  • If nerve pain persists, seeking advice from a physiatrist or pain specialist for a broader array of treatment options is advisable.

Alternative Methods
  • Acupuncture is a popular option, it can be a bit costly but it can very much help with relieving your pain. Some studies have suggested that acupuncture can help those with back pain, however other studies have mentioned that those suffering from sciatica found no benefit. 
  • Chiropractors could be an option - the manipulation to restore spinal movement and decrease pain. This type of treatment has been known to help those with lower back pain.

Surgery (In Extreme Situations):
  • Surgery is considered a last-resort option if the pain is severe, accompanied by weakness, or if there's a loss of bladder or bowel control. This surgical intervention involves removing bone spurs or herniated disks that are pressing on nerves.

For many individuals, self-care activities and at-home remedies like using hot or cold packs, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter pain medication help in easing sciatica. If the pain continues, medical interventions including diverse medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, or in extreme cases, surgery, may be contemplated. The appropriate treatment choice is contingent on the severity and persistence of the symptoms


Home or Self Treatment
For most people, sciatica responds to self-care measures. Although resting for a day or so may provide relief, staying inactive will make symptoms worse.

Other self-care treatments that might help include:
  • Cold packs or Cold Gels: Place a cold pack or Cold Gel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes several times a day. Use an ice pack or a package of frozen peas wrapped in a clean towel.
  • Hot packs: After 2 to 3 days, apply heat to the areas that hurt. Use hot packs, a heat lamp or a heating pad on the lowest setting. For continuing pain, try using both warm and cold packs, one at a time.
  • Stretching: Stretching exercises for the low back might provide some relief. Try to hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds. Avoid jerking, bouncing or twisting during the stretch.
  • Medications: Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are sometimes helpful for sciatica. Use only as directed.


What exercises are good to relieve Sciatica pain?

Sitting Spinal Stretch
The pain from Sciatica is usually triggered when the vertebrae in the spine compresses. This exercise and stretch helps create the space in the spine that helps relieve pressure on the nerve that causes sciatic pain.

So how do you do it?

  • Sit on the ground with your legs extended straight out with your feet facing upwards.
  • Begin bending your left knee and place your foot flat on the ground on the outside of the opposite knee.
  • Begin placing your elbow on the outside of your left knee to help you gently turn your body left.
  • Hold this position for around 30 seconds and repeat it three times. Once complete – switch sides.

 Knee to opposite shoulder
This exercise / stretch is to help relieve sciatic pain by loosening the piriformis muscle and the gluteal. These can become inflamed and pressed against the sciatic nerve which causes quite a bit of pain.

So how do you do it?

  • Begin lying on your back with your legs fully extended and your feet facing upwards.
  • Bend your left leg and clasp your hand around your knee.
  • Very gently pull your left leg across your body and towards your right shoulder.
  • Hold this position for 30 seconds and remember to pull your knee as far as you can go comfortably – aiming for pain relief rather than additional pain.
  • Return to the starting position.
  • Repeat this 3 times and then switch legs.


Best Treatment for Sciatica:

Here are some remedies to treat sciatica pain:

  • Ice Treatment: If you observe any symptoms of sciatica, start applying ice on the affected area for around 15 to 20 minutes in a day. Repeat this several times a day. Continue this for two to three days after you feel intense pain.

    Icing or cold therapy is an ideal solution to relieve sciatica symptoms at an early stage. You can continue the therapy for five to seven days in a week, depending on the severity of pain. Cold therapy reduces inflammation and alleviates pain due give you relief for some time. It also numbs the sore tissues aiding relief.

    If the pain continues for a longer time, and the cold therapy does not work for you, seek medical attention.

  • Heat Therapy: Heat therapy can provide you instant relief from the pain. Heat widens your blood vessels, thus increasing the supply of oxygen and essential minerals to the affected area. This restricts the brain to focus on the pain. You can start the heat therapy just after you feel acute pain. Repeat this for three to seven days to avoid intense pain.

    For the best results, you should use both cold and hot therapy to get relief. You can start with icing first to reduce any inflammation. Later, you can apply heat to the area to feel instant relief.

  • Anti-Inflammatories Medications: It is obvious that most painkillers are effective in reducing pain immediately. To treat sciatica pain, you can take some anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by your doctor. You can also take some over the counter medications or buy online.

    Some oral steroids or NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) can help relieve sciatica symptoms and pain. NSAIDs like naproxen, ibuprofen, and COX-2 inhibitors provide relief. Ibuprofen is an easily available medicine that provides instant relief. To control the pain, you can take epidural steroid injections. These injections benefit from inflammation and lower back pain. Before taking any injection or painkiller you should consult with your doctor.

    You can also undergo surgery, but that depends on your treatment and severity of the condition.

  • TENS Machine: TENS Machines transmit electrical signals through the skin. This restricts the pain signals from reaching the control unit of the human body.

    The wireless TENS machines are versatile and work well for sciatica pain. They prevent pain and release the natural painkillers in the body called endorphins to accelerate healing. They work for a longer time without much side effects. The irritation caused by sciatica pain can be well treated with a TENS unit. As per results, most of the people experience relief in their pain during the first use of the TENS unit.

    TENS is really effective in alleviating sciatica pain for a longer time. Consult your physical therapist if you have not used a TENS unit before. In case you have enough knowledge on how to use the TENS unit at home, you can start applying it over the area where you feel intense pain. 

    Avoid using the TENS machine during pregnancy. If your pain becomes extremely intense, make sure you consult your doctor.

  • Physiotherapy: The Sciatica treatment plan involves physical therapy exercises. These exercises include a combination of stretching. They provide relief by reducing sciatica pain, thus building your spinal column strong and providing relaxation for a longer time.

    Patients who engage in a regular program of stretching and exercising, recover more quickly from the pain. Also, the chances for future pain become comparatively less.

  • Exercise & Stretching: To alleviate pain, stretching is an effective exercise you can incorporate in your daily routine. Some stretches benefit by providing relief from sciatica-related symptoms and pain. Prior to starting any of the exercises, visit your doctor or physiotherapist. Else, you might suffer from an injury.

Here are some of the recommended stretches to perform to avoid pain: