How do TENS machines work?

[Andlou]

Have borrowed one (GEM-STIM brand) but have no instructions for it so a bit lost at the moment. Has anyone used one before? Are they all the same? It has knobs to adjust strength of the shock, plus time, width and rate. WHat does this all mean?

instructions here

those instructions are not for maternity tens. is it a maternity tens machine?

It's a multi-purpose one - one of the settings is for labour but still not sure what that means it will do! Have had some fun shocking DH but not sure that will be helpful during labour - although good for a laugh

they don't work for labour pains very well, in my experience.

i thought it was a bit like someone rubbing the small of my back with the scratchy side of velcro for many hours; vaguely irritating but kind of distracting at the same time. the best thing are the knobs you can twiddle; it probably doesnt help the pain much but at least its one TEENY thing you have control over

i think the shocking of expectant husbands with TENs should be compulsory before labour BTW....they get away lightly....