What the five TENS modes (Burst, Normal, Modulation, SD1, and SD2) are used for?
Service, Training and SupportOctober 29, 2025
Understanding the five primary modes of the Balego TENS unit will help you to customize the therapy for the best possible pain relief. These modes vary the electrical pulse to target different pain mechanisms.
The 5 TENS Modes Explained
Most professional-grade TENS units include the following five customizable modes, derived from clinical protocols:
| TENS Mode | Name | How It Works | Best Used For |
| N | Normal (or Constant) | It provides a continuous, steady pulse rate and width. This is the simplest and most common form, relying on the gate control theory to immediately block pain signals. | Acute pain or pain that requires fast, temporary masking. |
| B | Burst | The device delivers bursts of high-frequency pulses at a low overall rate, resembling a cluster of rapid pulses followed by a pause. This mimics the body’s natural opioid release mechanism. | Chronic pain is characterized by persistence and depth. The effect is slower to start but is often longer-lasting after the session ends. |
| M | Modulation | Automatically and continuously varies (modulates) the pulse rate and pulse width. This prevents the nerves from "accommodating" or getting used to the stimulation. | Extended therapy sessions or patients reporting a loss of effectiveness in the standard normal mode during treatment are also affected. |
| SD1 | Strength-Duration 1 | Modulates both the intensity (amplitude) and the pulse width simultaneously, but in a small range. | Pain requiring deeper penetration or when a gentle, yet changing, stimulation is desired. |
| SD2 | Strength-Duration 2 | Similar to SD1, but modulates the amplitude and pulse width over a wider range for a more profound and varying stimulation. | Severe or stubborn chronic pain that doesn't respond to gentler modulation modes. |