TENSn.
/tɛnz/, /tɛns/, U.S. /tɛnz/, /tɛns/ Medicine.
1. Electrical stimulation of the skin by means of surface electrodes, used to block or modify the sensation of pain.
ΚΠ
1978 Southern Med. Jrnl. 71 396 The application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to the abdomen produced prompt and sustained relief of the pain associated with pancreatitis.
1985 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 20 Oct. 6 Hogan has used transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, on about 200 patients over the last two years, as part of preliminary tests.
2002 Dental Pract. 1 Apr. 14/3 He described the incorporation into his practice of homoeopathy, AK, cranial osteopathy, TMJ therapies, aromatherapy, colour therapy, music, nutrition, TENS, acupuncture and, best of all, laughter.
2. = TENS machine at Compounds.
ΚΠ
1980 PR Newswire (Nexis) 11 Feb. Electrical stimulation is being used as pain treatment on athletes for the second time in Olympic history here at the 1980 winter olympics... The treatment is provided by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (‘TENS’ for short).
1997 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 8 Jan. c3 Wolfson also likes the TENS, calling it a valuable device that can be ‘very beneficial in reducing pain’.
Compounds
attributive. Designating the apparatus, now usually battery-powered and portable, used to carry out this treatment, as TENS device, TENS machine.
ΚΠ
1981 Hospitals 16 Aug. 54 (title) TENS device gaining popularity in management of pain.
1994 Times (Nexis) 2 Aug. The Hills replaced the pethidine with a privately hired TENS machine..and by the time their youngest was born in 1992, TENS machines..could be found in most delivery suites around the country.
2002 Top Santé Feb. 22/2 Now with a TENS machine (which sends electrical impulses to areas of pain), strong painkillers and a walking stick for when things are bad, I can get on with my life.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1978