From what I have read is that TENS units block the pain signals for a time.

what I have is a EMS {electronic muscle stimulation} and my chiro uses a IF stim {inferential stim} - these are more muscle focused.

My daughter had PT and they used a electronic stim machine that could be set up for a variety of protocols - neuro, muscle, etc

For the pads - yes they can be resued for quite awhile as long as you use then on clean skin. I've used the same ones for 2 yrs- but a double set came with my machine so I have 8 pads.

more info- "electronic stimulation for pain" -
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&n...in&btnG=Search