This video discredits a lot of what people say when they are conserned with remote collars. We use collars in a way that is non-punitive, giving us the ability to work with dogs that have fear issues.

The Tens Unit is a device that very closley resembles what we use with our dogs.

TENS is a non-invasive, safe method to reduce pain, both acute and chronic. While controversy exists as to its effectiveness in the treatment of chronic pain, a number of systematic reviews or meta-analysis have confirmed its effectiveness for postoperative pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic musculoskeletal pain [1]. Conversely, results from the Bone and Joint Decade 2000 - 2010 Task Force on Neck Pain accumulated data showing no clinically significant benefit to TENS for the treatment of neck pain when compared to sham treatment[2]. Recent clinical studies and meta-analysis suggest that using adequate intensity of stimulation is necessary to obtain analgesia with TENS.[3][4]

Basic science studies show that high and low frequency TENS produce their effects by activation of opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Specifically, high frequency TENS activates delta-opioid receptors both in the spinal cord and supraspinally (in the medulla) while low frequency TENS activates mu-opioid receptors both in the spinal cord and supraspinally. Further high frequency TENS reduces excitation of central neurons that transmit nociceptive information, reduces release of excitatory neurotransmitters (glutamate) and increases the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA) in the spinal cord, and activates muscarinic receptors centrally to produce analgesia. Low frequency TENS also releases serotonin and activates serotonin receptors in the spinal cord, releases GABA, and activates muscarinic receptors to reduce excitability of nociceptive neurons in the spinal cord.

In palliative care and pain medicine, TENS units are used in an attempt to alleviate neuropathic pain [5] (pain due to nerve damage). Some patients benefit from this approach, while others may not, depending on individual differences, [6] and pain threshold. [7] Further use is documented in the attached references: in obstetric care, particularly in labour; [8] knee pain;[9] [10] [11] lithotripsy or bladder-stone removal; [12] limb pain. [13]