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

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 physiotherapy brand Beurer offers its users one of the most versatile electrostimulation devices that can be found on the market. It is the Beurer EM59, which contains an incredible 4-in-1 function that allows you to apply therapeutic massage, muscle stimulation, nerve stimulation and heat therapy, providing a completely different level of relief to its users with its more than 70 programs and 50 intensity levels.

This powerful electrostimulation equipment offers immediate relief for almost any type of ailment using stimulation methods that stimulate the production of natural pain relieving agents within the body. It also works as an effective methods to accelerate muscle growth and regeneration, while combining with heat therapy to provide one of the most complete treatments you will find.

Omron has a wide range of electrostimulation devices in stock, including Omron HeatTens, which combines the therapeutic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with the effective method of heat therapy, resulting in one of the most complete relaxation and pain relief effects available on the market.

Its operation is really simplified, having 6 preset programs that focus on treating different areas of the body, which you can customize by modifying the 3 TENS massage modes, in combination with the 3 heat therapy modes. It is the best choice for joint and muscle ailments and you will get 1 Omrom HeatTens, 2 Omron gel pads, 1 power adapter and an instruction manual.

The TechCare Plus 24 muscle massager is one of the most comfortable and compact models available on the market. It offers the best solution for any type of muscle pain through its electrotherapy massages, which are a combination of TENS and EMS modalities, which apply low intensity currents to greatly reduce the sensation of pain in the treated area.

It includes 24 modes of use that apply different types of massages focused on dealing with particular ailments. Its lithium battery allows continuous use for more than 20 hours, and has a session timer that can be set from 10 to 60 minutes. The purchase includes 1 mini Plus 24 electro stimulator, 1 carrying case, 6 large electrodes, 2 guide cables, 1 user manual and 1 USB charger.

The wireless electrotherapy device of the OSITO brand, offers its users the functions of TENS massage for the treatment of ailments of all kinds, and TENS electrical stimulation to improve physical condition by creating activity in the muscle fibers. It has 10 modes of use between TENS and EMS modes, with 25 levels of intensity in each one.

Its design is intended to be practical and portable, so you can even keep it in your pocket and use it anytime and anywhere, avoiding the possibility of tangled cables and allowing you to use it much more easily and quickly. It is undoubtedly one of the most complete options in terms of portable electrostimulation.

The muscle stimulator sends an electric current through wires to electrodes on the skin and helps relieve body pain; improves sports injuries, arthritis and sciatica; stimulates muscles, improves blood circulation, relieves fatigue, improves immunity and sleep quality. 10 intensity levels allow precise adjustment of pulse amplitude and frequency, allowing optimal and sensitive control for pain relief; a pre-programmed timer can set a preset duration from 5 to 90 minutes.

The therapeutic device can be used by two users at the same time or by one user to relieve two locations. Treatment intensity is guaranteed at all times. It has 5 treatment modes (massage, acupuncture, tapping, scraping and cupping) to choose from to relieve headache, leg pain, shoulder pain, joint pain, stomach pain, hip pain and leg pain. Automatic treatment interruption, alarm if the electrode falls off.

The E3 model from OMRON is a TENS electrostimulator of compact size and great power, designed to be portable and used to relieve pain caused by exhaustion, injuries or diseases such as sciatica or neuropathy. This device uses TENS stimulation technology, proven and widely used by physiotherapists for its ability to relieve any type of pain.

It has a wide variety of pre-programmed modes of use designed to treat a wide range of ailments. Its compact size makes it incredibly convenient to carry wherever you want, and its specialized long-lasting electrodes can be washed and reused up to 150 times. The purchased package contains 1 OMRON E3 electrostimulator, 1 electrode cable and 1 long-lasting pad.

Dioche has available to the public one of the best TENS machines on the market, which stands out for its ease of use, versatility and portability. You can use it to relieve pain caused by various causes, from neuropathies and arthritis to injuries and muscle contractures.

One of its best features is the presence of a laser line for the nose that will allow you to treat rhinitis symptoms effectively, improving your health conditions considerably. The dual channel function of this rechargeable mini TENS machine allows you to treat multiple parts of the body simultaneously, bringing benefits such as improved circulation, reduced pain and accelerated metabolism.

A perfect combination of TENS and EMS massager. Massages a wide area of the body with a dual output design that sends electrical impulses through electrode pads placed on the skin. To relieve pain in back, knees, shoulders, ankles, neck, wrists and elbows, relieve fatigue and stimulate muscles, improve blood circulation, strengthen the immune system and improve sleep quality.

The 50-level intensity allows you to explore for another unique experience, while the preset timer can be easily adjusted from 5 to 60 minutes. Safe enough to relax at home or in the office. Hydrogel with multi-layer technology, reusable 70 to 110 times when used correctly. Built-in rechargeable lithium battery, 10 hours continuous use after a full charge with USB cable.

The AccuRelief pain treatment system is based on the new technology of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to relieve any type of muscle and nerve ailments, through the application of electrical impulses that stimulate the production of endorphins in the nervous system.

It works by means of a remote control system that allows you to increase or reduce the intensity and frequency of the electrical impulses quickly, so that it adapts to the ailments of the treated area. The box includes the remote control to modify the configuration of the device, and 2 adaptable electrodes to place anywhere on the body, together with 6 AAA batteries necessary to operate.

DIGOT has one of the most complete wireless electro stimulators available on the market, with a variety of functions that will allow you to treat most ailments in many ways. It has 6 modes of use and 19 intensity levels, plus an electric pulse massage function and heat therapy, allowing you to relieve ailments caused by injuries, sedentary lifestyles, and other causes.

The device is wireless and rechargeable, controlled by a very compact and easy-to-use remote control, saving you the hassle of wires and allowing you to take your TENS massager with you wherever you go. The purchase package includes the main machine, 1 massage pad, 1 USB charging cable, 1 user manual and 1 remote control. 1 user manual and 1 remote control.

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