Woman holding the Arca wireless TENS device

This week: two extra pads free

When pain starts,
your day doesn't
have to stop.

ARCA is wireless TENS built to fit around real life. Place the pad, start a 15-minute session and carry on while it runs.

Try ARCA — £89 → See how ARCA works

Keep Doing What Matters

Use ARCA while you work, relax or spend time with family.

Control Stays in Your Hand

Adjust the intensity without twisting or reaching behind you.

Less Hassle When You’re Already Aching

No tangled leads or phone app to figure out. Place the pad, start the session and carry on.

See How ARCA Works → See What Customers Say →

Real experiences

Life with ARCA, in their words

How customers use ARCA, what they notice and how it fits into their day.

Lower back

★★★★★

Honestly didn't expect it to work this fast

By 3pm I used to be reaching for the ibuprofen. I've had Arca for nine weeks and I haven't touched the pill bottle once. That's the part I didn't expect.

S

Sarah C. 3 days ago

Neck & tension

★★★★★

Finally off the ibuprofen

Three weeks in and I haven't touched painkillers once. Wear it at my desk every morning. My neck and back feel looser than they have in years.

M

Mark T. — Project Manager, Leeds 1 week ago

Sciatica

★★★★★

Six months of leg pain, gone in two weeks

Six months of sciatic pain down my right leg. I'd tried everything. The first ten-minute session, I cried. Not because it hurt — because something finally helped.

P

Priya D. 5 days ago

Runners & gym

★★★★★

Recovery from long runs is actually faster

I run 60km a week and my IT-band has been my whole personality for two years. Ten minutes on mode 4 after a long run is non-negotiable now. Sleep is better. Recovery is faster.

M

Miles R. 1 week ago

Neck & tension

★★★★★

Nobody at work has any idea

Wore it through three client meetings yesterday. Neck tension that used to hit by 2pm just… didn't. Can't believe it took me this long to try TENS.

C

Claire B. — Account Director, Manchester 5 days ago

Postnatal

★★★★★

Five months post-section and finally sleeping

Five months post-section and my lower back was wrecked. My GP suggested TENS. Arca was the only one that felt designed for an actual body, not a science experiment.

J

Joanna K. 2 days ago

Lower back

★★★★★

The only one that does both at once

Neck and lower back both flare up together. Every other device made me choose. Arca doesn't. Three months of daily use and still going strong.

D

David H. — Software Engineer, Bristol 3 weeks ago

Shoulders

★★★★★

Lives in the glovebox of my van

I drive 40,000 miles a year for work. Lorry-driver shoulders. I keep Arca in the glovebox now. Twenty minutes at a service station and the rest of the day is bearable.

D

Dan A. 4 days ago

Showing8stories

1

Place

Put a pad on the fleshy muscular area that aches, such as your lower back or shoulder.

2

Press

Choose a mode and set the intensity from the controller in your hand.

3

Carry on

Start your 15-minute session and get on with your day while it runs.

Why ARCA is easier to live with

Same TENS. Less setup around it.

The electrical stimulation is familiar. The difference is how easily ARCA fits into the day.

Compare

Arca Wireless TENS

Wired TENS Traditional unit

App-controlled TENS Phone required

Heat patch Single-use

Setup

Place, start, carry on

Connect leads and position the unit

Pair with your phone

Apply and replace after use

No phone app required

Yes

No

Yes

Controller in your hand

Yes

No

N/A

No trailing wires

Yes

No

Yes

Everyday fit

Work, relax, light tasks

Best used while seated

Depends on phone connection

Portable, single-use

Features describe common product formats. Individual devices vary.

381

Randomised controlled trials reviewed

The largest systematic review of TENS for adult pain.

24,532

Participants included

Across the 381 randomised controlled trials.

−0.96

Standardised pain-intensity difference

Lower pain intensity with TENS than placebo during or immediately after treatment.

21

RCTs in a knee-OA review

A 2026 review found significant improvements in pain, function and knee muscle strength.

Johnson et al. · BMJ Open · 2022 | Peng et al. · Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies · 2026

Research findings describe TENS generally. Individual results vary by condition, treatment protocol and person.

Before you buy

Questions people ask

Straight answers about how ARCA feels, how it fits into your day and what to expect.

Email hello@tryarca.co.uk

Will this actually work for me?

TENS does not feel or work the same for everyone. It may temporarily reduce pain for some people during or immediately after a session. ARCA's 30-day at-home trial gives you time to test it in your own routine.

What does TENS feel like—and will it hurt?

Most people describe a steady tingling, tapping or pulsing beneath the pad. Start on the lowest level and increase it until the feeling is strong but comfortable. It should never hurt—if it does, turn the intensity down or stop the session.

How is ARCA different from the TENS machine I already tried?

ARCA uses familiar TENS stimulation. The practical difference is how it is delivered: wireless pads, a separate controller in your hand and no phone app. You can adjust a session without untangling leads or reaching for buttons attached to the sore area.

Can I adjust it when the pad is on my back?

Yes. The controls stay in your hand, so you can change the intensity without twisting, reaching behind you or trying to see buttons on the pad. No phone pairing or app is required.

Can I carry on with my day while using it?

ARCA is wireless and can sit beneath clothing, so you can use it during desk work, while relaxing or during light everyday tasks. Do not use TENS while driving, sleeping, bathing, swimming or operating machinery.

Can I use both pads at the same time?

Yes. Both ARCA pads can run during the same session, so you can place them on two suitable muscular areas when needed. Always follow the placement instructions supplied with the device.

Where should I place the pads?

Place the pads on clean, dry skin over a fleshy muscular area around the discomfort, such as the lower back, shoulders, arms or legs. Do not place them directly over bony areas such as the kneecap, or on the head, front or sides of the neck, chest, broken skin or irritated skin.

Will the pads stay attached?

For the best hold, apply each pad to clean, completely dry skin with no lotion or oil, then press it down firmly. Replace the protective film after use and store the pads in the case. Adhesion gradually reduces with use and varies by skin preparation and storage.

How long do the pads last, and what do replacements cost?

Each pad can last for around 30 uses when it is applied to clean, dry skin and stored correctly. Actual pad life varies. A replacement pair costs £9 as a one-off purchase, with no subscription.

Why is ARCA £89 when cheaper TENS machines cost less?

The £89 price covers ARCA's wireless format, handheld controller, carry case and four pads with the current offer. There is no app or subscription, and ARCA includes free UK delivery and a 12-month warranty.

What if ARCA does not work for me?

You can test ARCA at home and request a return within 30 days of delivery. The device must be returned in its original packaging. Opened two-pad sets are deducted at £9 each, and customers normally pay return postage. Please read the returns policy for the full terms.

Who should not use ARCA?

Do not use ARCA if you have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device. If you are pregnant, have epilepsy or are unsure whether TENS is suitable for your condition, ask a qualified healthcare professional before use and follow the supplied instructions.