Traveling with a TENS Unit
If you rely on a TENS unit for relief of chronic or acute pain, then taking it along for the ride is a must. Whether you’re faced with a hard uncomfortable hotel bed (which triggers your back pain) or the cramped conditions on a plane or in a car (resulting in everything from sciatica to leg cramps), having your portable TENS unit with you can give you peace of mind.
Since electrotherapy is by its very nature a portable device, it is easy to take with you wherever you go. If you will be using a mini TENS unit as you travel, switching to fresh electrode pads and making sure you have plenty of life left in your rechargeable lithium battery will make it easy to use on the go. If you are bringing your machine along as a precautionary measure, then make sure you pack everything you need to use it once you reach your destination.
Can I take my TENS Unit on a Plane?
You can travel with a TENS unit, but if you want to avoid an uncomfortable groping session with a TSA agent you’ll need to remove it when you reach the security screening checkpoint.
Your stim machine is generally treated as a medical device by the Transportation Security Administration. Since the device is removable, the easiest way to go through the checkpoint is to point it out to the officers. People with medical devices that are implanted or that are not removed are subject to additional patdowns and procedures by the TSA.
A TENS unit, like many other medical or electronic devices, can look suspicious if viewed through an X-ray; removing it and showing it to the TSA is the easiest way to get through security and hold on to your pain relief unit. Treat your muscle stimulator like any other electronic device and hand it over along with your cell phone, laptop and tablet. Airlines in both the US and the UK consider e stim therapy to be safe for use in flight and when held in carryon luggage. If you are in doubt, contact the airline in advance to confirm your pain relief device will be allowed to travel with you to your destination.
Supplies and Availability
Stock up on extra TENS unit accessories before your trip if you will be far from home. Extra sets of electrode pads, a full charge on your battery, and even a power cord adapter are a must, just in case your pieces get lost in transit. If you are traveling to another country, pack a power adaptor to make sure your Utopia Pro model can actually be used; international sockets and plugs are a different shape than those used in the US. You can alternatively charge your device through the supplied USB cord that is included in your purchase.
If you only use your device for occasional pain relief, including it in your luggage can help you cope with any ailments when you arrive. Sitting in a car for long periods or traveling in a cramped airplane seat can trigger all kinds of aches and pains even before you reach your destination.
Your portable stim machine is able to go wherever you do and can provide fast and effective pain relief even when you are far from home. Need more ideas for pain relief? Follow our blog to learn more about using your electronic pulse stimulator or about getting the most from your investment.
If you believe that a TENS/EMS device could benefit you, purchase one from Utopia Gear today.
And if you have any questions about our products or how transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or electrical muscle stimulation works, call us toll free at 888-237-4997 or email us at customerservice@utopiagear.com. We’d love to answer any or all of your questions.
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