Low-intensity, high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is generally better tolerated by most patients than acupuncture-like TENS. In clinical practice, its pain-relieving effect has appeared to be a rather localized phenomenon. Since it is difficult in some instances to apply counter irritative stimulation at or close to the painful site, this study explores the potential of contralateral low-intensity TENS for pain alleviation. Changes in subjective sensitization to thermally induced experimental pain are used as the criterion of TENS effectiveness. Results show that contralateral TENS produces approximately half the pain-reducing effect of ipsilateral stimulation. It appears to be a viable alternative method of pain control in patients for whom conventional modes of TENS application are problematic.