Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for controlling pain by transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES), the apparatus comprising a pulse generator for generating periodic electrical pulses, skin electrodes coupled to the pulse generator and adapted to be placed in contact with the skin of the patient for applying the pulses thereto, and a pulse-width modulator for modulating the width of the pulses applied by the electrodes to the patient's skin. The skin electrodes include a survey electrode having a handle for moving it over the surface of the skin to locate the relevant nerve. The pulses applied are unsymmetrical, nearly square-shape, bipolar current pulses width-modulated 25-50% per period of 0.1 to 1.0 seconds.