The device
"Nobody knows it's there."
- Wireless dual-zone TENS unit
- 6 modes · 16 intensity levels
- 10-hour battery · USB-C charge
- 2 electrode pads (around one month of regular use)
- USB-C cable included
£89
Wireless dual-zone TENS · Class IIa medical device
Two zones. One device. Relief that works while you do.
Back and neck pain peaks around 2pm. Arca sits under your work shirt — treating two pain points at the same time, while you get through the 1-hour call.
6 modes
10-hour battery
98g
£89
or split with Klarna · Clearpay
UKCA & CE marked
Same-day dispatch
30-day returns
Find the right fit
Free UK delivery · dispatch in 1–2 working days · 30-day returns.
The relief bundle
- Wireless dual-zone TENS unit
- 4 electrode pads — around two months of regular use
- USB-C cable
- Canvas carry pouch
£89
Includes one extra two-pad set
Replacement pads
- 2 replacement electrode pads
- Around one month of regular use
- One-off purchase — no subscription
- Free UK delivery
£9
Buy replacement pads — £9
The maths
The maths most people haven't done
What the current routine actually costs over a year — versus a year with Arca.
Ibuprofen, one pack a week200mg × 24, Boots own-brand
£52
Heat patches, two a weekDeep Heat, Cura-Heat — Boots pricing
£100
Physio sessions, eight a year£55 per session, UK average
£440
A year of the current routine
£592
A year with Arca
£120
Start with the £89 device and spare-pad option; add £9 replacement packs only when needed.
Illustrative estimates only. Actual costs vary by product, usage and provider.
Find your routine
“Is this just my life now?” — It doesn’t have to be.
The desk-day ache
Lower back tightens by midday. Neck stiffens during afternoon calls. Pain peaks when you finally stop. “Sitting at my desk job is killing me.”
Get the desk worker routineThe runner’s recovery
DOMS that lasts three days instead of one. Hips and lower back that argue back after any distance over 5k.
See the post-run protocolPostnatal back pain
Lower back pain that carried on well after the birth. Holding, feeding, and sleep deprivation stacked on top of each other.
See Joanna’s routineSciatica and nerve pain
Pain that shoots from lower back into the leg. Worsens after long periods sitting. “10 minutes in either of our cars is absolute torture.”
See Priya’s protocolLong-haul travel
Economy seats, airport walks, and a stiff back that arrives two hours before you do. Recovers slowly, ruins the first day.
See the travel resetGeneral body fatigue
Full-body ache that drains evenings and affects sleep. “Every night is a struggle.” “My 40s are hitting me hard.”
Start with the basicsThe evidence
What the research actually says
TENS has been studied across a wide range of pain conditions. Here's what the clinical evidence tells us.
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.
Trustpilot
4.7 · 735 reviews
What people say.
735 reviews and counting, from people who actually use Arca every day. Filter by the pain context that sounds most like yours.
Showing 735 reviewsRead every review on Trustpilot →
What a year of pain actually costs
Categories, not brands, and judged on the day you would actually have. The alternatives get ticks where they deserve them.
| Painkillers | Physio | Cheap wired TENS | Premium app-TENS | Arca |
|---|
✓ yes · ~ partly, or depends how you use it · ✗ no · — not applicable
Take the routine, even without the device.
Free seven-day desk worker relief protocol — eight specific exercises and pad placements you can start today.
Eight specific exercises and pad placements, compiled from peer-reviewed protocols and clinical guidance. Yours whether or not you buy the device.
Includes Arca’s practical newsletter every two weeks. Unsubscribe at any time.
“I want my life back.” Start here — it costs nothing.
For the curious
Questions people actually ask
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.