6 Ways Enso Is Different from Other TENS Devices
Learn how Enso, a pain relief device from Hinge Health, is specially designed to reduce pain, compared with other TENS devices.
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Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator.
That’s a mouthful for what’s better known as a TENS device. If you’ve used one before — say, to help rehab an injury, after surgery, or to cope with chronic pain — you may have some questions about Enso, a pain relief device from Hinge Health, and other TENS devices. So let’s have a look. But first, let’s cover the basics about electricity and your body.
Electricity, Nerves, and Pain
Your body’s nerves are like electrical wiring. They carry messages almost instantaneously to and from your brain so you can move and feel sensations like pressure and temperature. Your brain interprets some of those messages as pain.
How TENS Devices Relieve Pain
TENS devices deliver safe impulses through your skin that quiet your pain response. They may also stimulate your body to produce endorphins, which are natural painkiller chemicals.
A typical TENS device has a battery-powered control unit. Wires carry pain-relieving impulses to electrode pads attached to the skin near a painful area. Some TENS devices have settings that allow you to adjust the intensity of the impulses.
How Is Enso Different?
Enso is a TENS device: safe and effective, FDA-cleared, and specially designed to relieve muscle pain and soreness. But it’s not just any TENS device. Here are some key ways that Enso is different:
1. It’s Small
Enso is about the size of a matchbook, so it’s comfortable to wear under clothing, making longer treatment sessions more practical. Because Enso is small, your treatment can be better targeted to your specific pain area.
2. It’s Wireless and Portable
Enso uses Bluetooth technology so you can start a session in the Hinge Health app and go about your day — no wires to limit your movement and no being tethered to the control unit, as with some TENS devices. Enso lets you move freely during treatment so you can work, move, do household chores, or be out and about.
3. More Control
Many TENS devices have limited intensity settings. But everyone’s pain — and intensity preferences — are different. Enso has intensity settings from one to 100 so you can choose a level that feels just right for you. The Hinge Health app has recommended ranges and preset options that make it easy to adjust.
4. Exclusive Waveforms
Enso has unique waveforms (patterns of electrical pulses) that provide different kinds of pain relief. Our research shows that Enso’s exclusive waveforms reduce pain and improve function compared to a control group using a placebo device.
5. Hinge Health Support
Another big difference: Enso is just one part of a comprehensive Hinge Health pain relief program that’s personalized for you. Your Hinge Health program can include exercise therapy sessions designed by physical therapists, a health coach for support, and a library of educational resources to help you get better.
6. Proven Results
Enso is more effective than traditional TENS devices. A clinical study found that consistent Enso users were 2.3x more likely to have improvement in pain at four weeks compared to traditional TENS users.
More Effective Pain Relief for Your Organization
For HR and benefits leaders, learn how Enso is taking traditional pain relief to the next level by requesting a demo here.
Get Started With Enso
For Hinge Health members:
To learn more about getting Enso and find out if you're eligible, click here.
Have an Enso, but need to set it up? Click here to open your Hinge Health app.
Already using Enso and still have questions? Talk to a member of our support team. Call 1-855-902-2777 or email help@hingehealth.com.
Read the user manual before using Enso for complete information about indications, instructions for use, warnings, and precautions.
Physical therapy (PT) is for more than just recovering from surgery or injury. It’s one of the top treatments for joint and muscle pain. It helps build strength, improve mobility, and reduce pain. And it doesn't always need to be in person.
Hinge Health members can conveniently access customized plans or chat with their care team at home or on the go — and experience an average 68% reduction in pain* within the first 12 weeks of their program. Learn more*.
References
In a placebo-controlled trial of 36 participants, after 4 weeks, on average. Amirdelfan, K., Hong, M., Tay, B., Reddy, S., Reddy, V., Yang, M., Khanna, K., Shirvalkar, P., Abrecht, C., & Gulati, A. (2021). High-Frequency Impulse Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Back Pain: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Journal of Pain Research, 14, 2991–2999. doi:10.2147/JPR.S325230
In a randomized controlled trial of 325 participants, after 4 weeks, among users who consistently used their devices. Hong, M., Krauss, J., Wang, G., Cohen, K., Chaisson, C. E., & Gulati, A. (2024). Effectiveness of Hybrid Form Impulse Therapy (HFIT) Compared to Traditional Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Patients with Chronic Low Back and Knee Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Pain Research, 17, 2417–2430. doi:10.2147/JPR.S461343
Johnson, M. I., Paley, C. A., Jones, G., Mulvey, M. R., & Wittkopf, P. G. (2022). Efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for acute and chronic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 381 studies (the meta-TENS study). BMJ open, 12(2), e051073. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051073
Teoli, D., & An, J. (2023). Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537188/
Vance, C. G. T., Dailey, D. L., Chimenti, R. L., Van Gorp, B. J., Crofford, L. J., & Sluka, K. A. (2022). Using TENS for Pain Control: Update on the State of the Evidence. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 58(10), 1332.doi:10.3390/medicina58101332