TENS sends a surface-level buzz designed to block pain signals. It was never built to make a muscle contract. The Lumera uses NMES — a deeper, targeted signal that forces the multifidus muscle to fire, bypassing the brain's reflex inhibition entirely. TENS masks sensation. NMES produces contraction. They both use pads — that's where the similarity ends. If your TENS is in a drawer, that's expected. It was designed for a different job.

Most users feel the first changes within the first two weeks — standing a little longer at the cooker, less need to shift position at the table. Walking distance improvements typically become measurable between weeks four and six. Some people take longer, especially if the muscle has been dormant for years. The 365-day guarantee gives you the full window the biology needs — there's no pressure to decide in 30 days.

Many of our users have had previous decompression or fusion surgery. If the surgery addressed the bone but the multifidus was never rehabilitated afterward, the Lumera targets that gap. The muscle often stays dormant even after successful surgery — which is why symptoms return for some patients months later. Always check with your surgeon or GP before starting if you have hardware in your spine, but NMES is well-established in post-surgical rehabilitation.

No. The first few levels feel like a gentle tapping or drumming — barely noticeable. As you increase the intensity (there are 29 levels), you'll feel the muscle physically tightening underneath the pad. It's firm but not painful — most users describe it as a deep rhythmic contraction, nothing like a shock or a sting. Several of our users have reported nearly falling asleep during sessions. You control the intensity with the wireless remote and can adjust it at any point.

Yes, pads lose adhesion over time with regular use. Your box includes a free extra replacement set so you have enough to complete the first 90 days without reordering. When you do need more, replacement pads are £19.95 per set — no subscription required, order when you need them. Most users find a set lasts four to six weeks with daily use. Clean the skin before each session and the pads last longer.

The severity of the stenosis doesn't determine whether the multifidus can be reactivated — the muscle responds to the electrical signal regardless of how narrow the canal is. What the device does is wake the muscle that holds the tunnel in its most open position. It won't reverse the narrowing itself, but published research shows that multifidus condition directly correlates with walking distance and surgical outcomes. Some of our users with moderate-to-severe stenosis have seen meaningful improvements in standing and walking time. Results vary — which is why the guarantee is 365 days, not 30.

Use the device daily. Follow the protocol. Track your walking distance with the tracker included in your program. If your walking distance hasn't improved within 365 days, send the device back for a full refund. No forms, no hoops, no argument. The digital guides — the Recovery Protocol, Walking Distance Tracker, and Sleep Guide — are yours to keep either way. We set the window at 365 days because a wasted muscle doesn't rebuild in a month, and we'd rather give you the time the biology actually needs than rush you into a decision.

Your GP may not have heard of the Lumera specifically, but NMES is a well-established technology in clinical rehabilitation — surgeons have been using implantable neurostimulators for the multifidus for years. We include a one-page GP Conversation Sheet in your program that explains what the device is, what it does, and lists the relevant PubMed studies so you can bring it to your next appointment. Most users who've shown it to their GP or consultant have been told there's no reason not to use it alongside their current care plan.

All orders ship from our UK warehouse. Orders placed before 3pm ship same day. Standard delivery is 4–5 working days. You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order dispatches. This is not a 3-week wait from overseas — the device is stocked and shipped domestically.

Yes. The device was designed specifically for people who live alone or have limited mobility. The placement guide shows you how to position the pad on your lower back by lining it up with your waistband — no reaching overhead or twisting required. The remote is wireless so you control everything from the front without reaching behind you. You lie down, press one button, and the device runs for 20 minutes then switches off automatically. The only part some users find fiddly is peeling the protective film off new pads — one user told us she uses the edge of a butter knife to lift the corner. Everything else is designed to be done independently.