# TENS combo unit for pain. Any advice on model?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tens-combo-unit-for-pain-any-advice-on-model/609948>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 18, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tens-combo-unit-for-pain-any-advice-on-model/609948 "2012-01-18T22:27:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tens-combo-unit-for-pain-any-advice-on-model/609948/1 "2012-01-18T22:27:01Z")

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Hello Everyone,  
I have a severe back injury which I treat daily with narcotics. At times even the narcotics don’t work so I must use a TENS unit to help with the pain. The TENS does provide relief, but unfortunately it is only temporary, lasting only the time the unit is in use. The TENS unit I have is getting old and starting to fail, so it is time for a new one. Thankfully I called my insurance company and they will cover 80% of the cost of a new unit. This means that I will be able to afford something other than a base model.

I was looking on the internet and found that they come not only as a stand alone TENS device, but also as a combo unit that can include things such as heat, something called EMS and ultra sound. Does anyone here have any experience using a TENS combo unit and will it be worth the extra money to get one with additional features? If so, what features? Heat or ultra-sound? I will ask my doctor tomorrow but it would be better if I had some information so I can discuss it with him vs. just listening. Any advice would be appreciated.