How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for face pain and toothache? Placement of electrode pads

The face is one of the areas most populated with muscle and also one of the most prone to suffer pain of different types due to a wide variety of causes, which can be muscular or neurological, since it also has many nerve endings.

For this reason, suffering from pain in various areas of the face is a more common problem than you might think, and for this type of situation, TENS and EMS units therapies are of great help. Therefore, in the following paragraphs we will teach you everything you need to know about the use of electrostimulation to deal with aches and pains in the face.

How to use a TENS machine to relieve facial pain?

TENS therapy units are specifically designed to provoke in the patient the sensation of relief for people who have suffered injuries or nerve disorders in the face.

Among its most outstanding benefits we can mention the following:

• Numbs the pain receptors: the discharges applied by the device directly affect the pain receptors in the face located in the cranial nerve and the trigeminal nerve, in order to improve pain resistance during and after the session.
• Provides an analgesic effect: by means of this therapy, the cell groups along the face, responsible for causing the sensation of pain are suppressed, thus producing a sensation of immediate relief in the user.
• It avoids reciprocal innervation: in this way a relaxation of the motor root and the parasympathetic root of the intermediate cranial nerve is achieved, causing an analgesic effect along the facial structure.
• Vasodilation: the electric shocks applied on the face generate heat, which causes the dilation of the blood vessels that extend along the facial structure, generating in turn a sensation of local analgesia, which causes and maintains a feeling of relief that lasts until minutes after the session.

It is necessary to highlight the fact that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is not a method to cure the injuries or disorders that are causes of facial pain, but a method to deal with the pain itself.

However, it is the ideal solution to provide a sense of relief to the symptoms of various injuries, besides being very useful to treat the sequelae of disorders such as:

• Painful tic
• Migraine
• Fibromyalgia
• Sinusitis
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome (TMJ)

Best TENS machines for trigeminal neuralgia recovery

TENS electrostimulation devices are very popular for the relief of facial pain thanks to their property to attenuate nerve impulses in the cranial nerve and the trigeminal nerve. It is possible to find machines dedicated to the treatment of facial pain, among which we can highlight the following:

The OSITO brand has one of the most versatile and practical models of wireless electro-stimulator on the market, with TENS and EMS electrotherapy functions, which will allow you to provide relief for any type of ailment, while creating electrical pulses that activate the muscle fibres, greatly improving your physical condition.

Its compact size and long-lasting rechargeable lithium battery make it the epitome of portability, as you can take it anywhere. It has 11 modes of use and 25 intensity levels that allow for a profound relief effect. Each of the 11 modes provides a different type of massage and because the electrical impulses stimulate the human body's pain tolerance capacity, it does not require the use of medication.

The AUVON electro stimulator is at the forefront of electro stimulation technology, combining TENS and EMS stimulation technologies to obtain one of the most complete treatments for acute and chronic pain, caused by injuries or illnesses, as well as an incredible complement for physical conditioning thanks to its muscle stimulation technology.

It has 20 modes of use that apply different types of massages oriented to treat a wide variety of ailments, and with its independent channel control mode you will have the possibility of configuring different programs for each of the channels individually, to apply different types of massages in various areas of the body.

The TENS 7000 has one of the most complete models of electrostimulator, which includes a wide variety of functions and accessories. It is a digital unit that combines TENS and EMS technologies together with an innovative dual channel function that allows you to apply these electrostimulation modalities on different parts of the body simultaneously.

The TENS 7000 muscle stimulator includes one of the most complete electrical stimulation therapy packages you will find. It includes 1 TENS 7000 unit, 2 guide cables, 4 packs of reusable pads, 1 9-volt battery, 1 instruction manual and a hard case to carry your electrostimulation equipment wherever you want.

The Belifu muscle stimulator is the perfect combination of TENS and EMS electrostimulation modalities, through which you can apply massages to relieve pain in a natural way, as well as generate muscle contractions that increase the size, strength and tone of the muscle, all in a completely safe and natural way, stimulating the body's natural processes.

It has 24 modes of use and 20 intensity levels that can be applied in isolation to each of the device's channels thanks to its dual channel function, allowing different therapies to be applied to separate areas of the body. In addition, it has a session timer mode and automatic shut-off that will allow you to give greater efficiency to your sessions and make better use of the energy of its high-capacity lithium battery.

This electric massage unit provided by iReliev is one of the most versatile and, at the same time, simplest electrostimulation machines you can find, with 8 predefined modes of use 25 adjustable intensity levels, you can program it to fit your body's needs. Additionally, its dual channel function allows you to program more than one massage mode simultaneously to treat multiple areas of the body.

It has an interesting session timer function that allows you to adjust the duration of each therapy up to a maximum of 60 minutes. Its compact size allows it to be carried in your pocket, so you can take it with you from home to work, or on the road, and use it whenever you need it.

The Med-Fit model BAL-906ª is a very complete rechargeable electrostimulation device of premium quality that has an incredible function of 4 individual channels that will give you a great coverage and a perfect effectiveness when applying different electrical massages simultaneously. It also has a large LCD screen that makes it especially easy to operate, so you can program your sessions with great ease.

It has 24 clinically proven massage programs, which are divided into 12 TENS therapy programs and 12 muscle stimulation training modes. It has a long-life rechargeable lithium battery that will give you a great autonomy of several hours of continuous use, eliminating the extra cost of buying replacement cylindrical batteries.

Spacerest offers its users its newest model of electro stimulator that combines TENS and EMS technologies in a dynamic and compact device that includes 24 reusable electrodes of excellent quality and an incredible 4-channel function that will allow you to apply different modes of use to 4 different areas of the body, or even to 4 different people.

It has an incredibly portable size that will allow you to take it anywhere, and a high-powered rechargeable battery that will give you up to 20 hours of continuous use. It can be connected to AC power through its AC adapter, or to an external battery or laptop through its USB charging port.

The Etekcity massage unit offers one of the most comprehensive pain relief experiences you will find in a device of this type, with an innovative 4-channel function that allows you to apply different types of massage to individual areas of the body, increasing the effectiveness of electrostimulation therapy and delivering far superior results.

All its modes of use are FSA and HSA approved, making it completely safe for anyone to use. It can be operated and set up very easily. The package includes reusable electrodes coated with adhesive gel in 3 sizes: 2 units of 2x4 inches, 4 units of 2x2 inches and 2 units of 1.5x1.5 inches.

This is a precise and compact wireless TENS electrostimulation device, brought to you by the iReliev brand, intended for the treatment of pain at precise points of the body. Thanks to its size and the fact that it does not require any wires to operate, it is completely discreet and can be used anywhere, while traveling and under clothing.

Its efficient use of TENS technology allows it to block pain signals before they reach the brain, making it a safe method of treating ailments. It also has a long-lasting lithium battery and an energy-efficient function, which turns the device off every 20 minutes. One of the best devices on the market in terms of portability, discretion and functionality.

Among the various products offered by the AccuRelief brand, its remote-controlled TENS electrostimulation unit has a lot of very interesting functions and features. It is based on TENS stimulation technology to influence the production of endorphins, which act as natural painkillers in the body.

The package includes 1 wireless remote control operating on AAA batteries 2 electrode control units, 2 reusable gel pads and an instruction manual. The ergonomic and compact design of the pads allows them to be used anywhere on the body, and they are discreet enough to be worn under clothing. It has 3 modes of use and 20 levels of intensity designed for safe and fast pain relief.

Video: How to place electrodes pads on neck and face?

Electrodes for face

• For pain in the maxillary muscle: If the pain is centered in the lower part of the maxillary muscle, the first electrode should be positioned in the muscle belly of the same, while the second should be placed in the risorius muscle, so that the discharges move between electrodes and attenuate the sensation of pain.
• For trigeminal neuralgia: Trigeminal neuralgia can cause pain in various areas of the face, since its branches are located on both sides of the face, between the forehead and the jaw. To treat this disorder, you must position the first electrode over the trigeminal ganglion, located in the temporal region, while the position of the second electrode is variable, since it must be positioned in relation to the nerve branch responsible for the sensation of pain.
• For nasal contusion: In the case of receiving a strong blow to the nose that generates pain, the TENS electrodes should be placed in such a way that they enclose the area of nasal pain to ensure lasting relief.
• For the zygomatic muscle: The first of these is the zygomatic muscle, in which case the electrode is positioned in the middle area of the zygomatic muscle, located between the corner of the mouth and the maxillary joint.
• For the corrugated and orbicularis muscle: The second muscle is the corrugated muscle, which spans the eyebrow line. In this case, the electrode will be positioned on the inner arch of the eyebrow. Then there is the orbicularis muscle, which encompasses the eyelids and are very superficial, as they are located just under the skin. For this muscle, the electrode will be placed on the lower part of the orbicularis, just below the eye, aligned with each side of the ocular iris.
• For the maxillae: Finally, there are the maxillary muscles, which make up a large part of the facial structure, and for which the optimal electrode position is in the muscle belly on each side, to maximize jaw relaxation.

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Most common causes of face pain

The face is made up of a large number of muscles and nerves that can suffer injuries or diseases that can cause considerable pain. This pain varies depending on the type of injury and can be dull and throbbing, or intense discomfort centered in various areas of the facial structure.

The most common causes of facial pain are as follows:

• Dental abscess: is the accumulation of pus caused by a bacterial infection that can occur in various areas of the tooth and for various causes. Among other symptoms, it can cause discomfort, tooth sensitivity, swelling over the tooth and swollen glands.
• Headache: primary disorder of the nervous system that produces incapacitating pain such as migraine or migraine. Its main symptom is a generalized pain around the head and face, which can vary in intensity and frequency. In general, it is caused by physical or emotional stress, colds, dental problems and eye strain, among others.
• Jaw fracture: a very common injury in boxers that occurs from receiving a strong blow to the mandible, which is the bone that supports the lower teeth and shapes the jaw. It will manifest with excessive swelling also due to the large number of blood vessels in the area, and acute pain.
• Septal deviation: another very common injury in boxers that occurs when the nasal septum receives a strong blow that causes it to move out of position, which also usually causes damage to the nasal turbinates.
• Facial trauma: can affect the jaw, cheeks, nose, eye socket or forehead, and is caused by a blunt impact on the face. Its most common causes are fights and traffic accidents.

Differences between TENS and EMS: Which to use for facial pain?

The use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy , or TENS, is intended for the treatment of pain in localized areas, making use of electrical currents which act directly on the facial nerve endings, relieving the sensation of pain throughout the session

EMS, or muscular electrostimulation, is a physiotherapeutic and training technique focused on muscle conditioning, being widely used in sports environments for training and recovery of athletes. It uses medium-high intensity electrical impulses, between 70 and 150 Hz, which cause muscle contractions in isolated groups that serve to increase their mass, elasticity and speed of recovery.

With this information, we can say that in cases where facial pain afflicts the patient, the ideal therapy is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), since most ailments affect the facial nerve, and this modality of electrotherapy intercepts the transmitters that generate the sensation of pain in the face. In addition, the sensory innervation of the face is distributed along its entire length, thanks to the three divisions of the cranial nerve, so the effectiveness of this therapy is quite high.

Because most facial ailments affect the facial nerve, EMS is not a solution for facial pain, since its main quality is the stimulation of muscle contractions, which can be counterproductive for the treatment of pain in the different regions of the face. Although EMS therapy is very useful for aesthetic purposes, it is contraindicated for the treatment of facial ailments and injuries.

Contraindications in the use of electrodes and electrotherapy