How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for TMJ, bruxism & jaw pain? Placement of electrode pads (UK)

The jaw is a joint with a limited movement and a very specific function, however, the amount of ligaments and muscles it has makes it a very resistant joint. Despite this, the possibility of suffering ailments in this area is quite high, and can occur for a wide variety of reasons.

That is why it is necessary to have methods to alleviate the pain that any of these diseases or disorders can cause. This is where TENS and EMS electrotherapy comes in. Below, we will show you how to use these physical therapy modalities to treat the symptoms of injuries and diseases that cause pain in the jaw joint.

How to use TENS machines to relieve bruxism pain?

Since the jaw is an abundantly innervated area, TENS treatment has a fairly high effectiveness rate, being one of the most popular methods to treat the symptoms of bruxism.

However, some knowledge is necessary, both about the muscle and nerve anatomy of the jaw, as well as how TENS devices work. Below, we will teach you everything you need to know to apply successful transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy.

Where to place the electrodes?

The jaw is a joint with abundant nerve tissue, so the pain caused by bruxism can become disabling, as well as extending from the jaw to the ears, neck and shoulders. For this reason, it is necessary to have a certain degree of knowledge about the anatomy of the jaw to make each session as effective as possible.

The most appropriate locations for the treatment of bruxism pain are as follows:

• On the mandibular joint, at the level of the sphenomandibular ligament.
• On the cheek, over the pterygoid muscle, aligned with the mandibular sensory branch of the trigeminal nerve.
• On the temporalis muscle, acting on the sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Which current to use?

In addition to pain relief, the use of TENS units can be of great help to perform a gentle muscle massage, which will be necessary to relax the jaw muscles.

The frequency setting will depend on which device is being used, and for a massage to relax the jaw muscles, the ideal current is between 35 and 45 Hz, a frequency low enough to interact with the nerve endings and also cause a slight muscle relaxation to reduce the symptoms of bruxism.

Best TENS units to treat mandibular pain

Given their effectiveness in the treatment of pain caused by bruxism and other diseases, it is possible to find a variety of effective TENS devices for this type of ailments. Among the most useful, we can find the following:

The Med-Fit 3 electrostimulator is a powerful electrostimulation unit that is at the forefront of electrotherapy technology, combining TENS and EMS stimulation technologies with a dual channel function, so you can treat different parts of the body individually, either to treat ailments of any kind or to stimulate muscle development.

Its transcutaneous electrical stimulation function offers an infallible form of acute and chronic pain relief through electrical impulses that block pain signals and promote the production of endorphins, making it ideal for treating the symptoms of arthritis, sciatica, muscle pain, joint pain and much more.

The AUVON electrostimulation unit is one of the best options for the treatment of nerve and muscle ailments, as well as a great addition to fitness. This is because it combines transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation technology with muscle electrostimulation, making it one of the most versatile devices on the market.

It has an independent dual-channel control mode, which allows you to treat different parts of the body with different settings and intensities as required. You can select from 20 preset massage modes, each designed to relieve certain types of pain and produce an overall sense of relief.

The Irest Massager brand brings for your use one of the best massage devices on the market. This is its classic mini TENS massage unit, which has 6 modes of use and is focused on relieving pain caused by injuries and diseases. It is particularly useful for joint ailments and neuropathies, although it can be used for almost any type of muscle or nerve pain.

It uses a combination of TENS and POMS technologies to apply low intensity electrical impulses to the affected area, which block pain signals, eliminating the sensation, and increasing the production of endorphins. It has 6 massage modalities and the package includes 1 control, 2 large electrodes, 2 small electrodes, 2 guide wires, 1 electrode and cable case and 1 massage treatment point guide.

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.

The Med-Fit electrostimulation unit is the best option to increase the efficiency of workouts, thanks to its incredible 4-channel function, through which you can apply different modes of use to different areas of the body. It includes 9 clinically proven training programs and each of them has a predefined duration time of 3 hours.

It uses a combination of TENS and EMS stimulation technologies, which are completely safe and natural methods to alleviate various types of ailments and improve physical condition by stimulating the growth of muscle fibers. It is the best option for long-term management of chronic pain, allowing you to lead a completely normal life and perform all your daily activities.

The Med-Fit TENS unit is presented as the most viable and sophisticated option for the treatment of ailments of any kind, thanks to its innovative dual-channel function that allows you to treat the symptoms of diseases such as sciatica, arthritis, and muscle injuries in different areas of the body simultaneously.

Its electrostimulation method allows you to relieve chronic ailments through the application of mild electrical stimuli that inhibit pain signals and stimulate the production of endorphins. The best results are obtained when using this unit for 60 to 90 minutes. The use of this device is widely recommended because it does not interfere with any medical treatment and is completely safe.

From EOSVAP comes this wonderful wireless electrostimulation device, effective for back pain, sciatica, arthritis and muscular ailments although its range of function is so wide that it can be used almost anywhere on the body portability and rechargeable battery make it an excellent investment when it comes to pain relief.

It has 7 intensity levels and 5 massage modes for instant pain relief in a natural and completely drug-free way. Its rechargeable lithium battery provides 24 hours of continuous use on a single charge, and can be charged via its USB connectors. Undoubtedly a complete revolution in the massage experience that you can keep in your pocket and take anywhere thanks to its small size.

The dual channel electrostimulator brought to the public by QUIWILL has revolutionized physiotherapy with electrostimulation thanks to its dual channel function, through which you can apply the TENS electrical impulses on different areas of the body simultaneously, through the 2 pairs of electrodes. All you need are daily sessions of between 15 and 20 minutes to obtain all the benefits of this complete electrostimulator.

It features 16 different massage modes with variable intensity in 16 levels, which can be adjusted individually in each of the channels to treat different ailments in different areas of the body. Its electrodes pads have a specialized design that maximizes conductivity and can be reused multiple times. The device is compact, portable and can be used very easily.

This is one of the most versatile electrostimulation devices you will find. The electrostimulation machine is fully rechargeable and has a dual channel function that allows you to apply electrostimulation to various areas of the body. It contains 30 preset massage programs through which you can relieve different types of ailments as well as strengthen muscles.

This electrostimulation unit is completely digital for an effective and reliable treatment. It has an LCD display and a user-friendly system that allows you to set the functions in seconds. In addition, the purchase includes 16 reusable electrodes of high quality and for all budgets.

The Patterson Medical Premier Plus electrostimulation unit is one of the most complete and functional devices you can find, thanks to its simple design focused on ease of use and its great versatility when applying TENS electrostimulation, it is designed with an analog operation system that makes it considerably easier for anyone to use it.

Its incredible dual channel function allows you to set different modes of use for dual channels A and B, so you can massage separate areas of the body simultaneously. Its compact size makes it incredibly portable, and it includes a belt clip that allows you to use your electro stimulator whenever and wherever you want.

Video: How to place electrodes pads on the jaw pain?

Electrodes for face

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How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for TMJ, bruxism & jaw pain? Placement of electrode pads (UK)

What types of jaw pains are there and what are the causes?

Ailments in the jaw are among the most painful that you can suffer, because regardless of whether it is not caused by a serious injury, the jaw is widely innervated, so any ailment has a profound impact at the nervous level.

The most common reasons for jaw pain are as follows:

Bruxism

This is a movement disorder characterized by the involuntary action of clenching or grinding the teeth. Bruxism has various levels of intensity and can occur unconsciously during the day (daytime bruxism) or while sleeping (nighttime bruxism).

Bruxism can have serious consequences for the teeth, as it can fracture, flatten or loosen them, severely wear down tooth enamel to the point of exposing the inner layers of the teeth, and cause stiffness, fatigue, swelling and pain in the jaw muscles.

The causes of bruxism are believed to be an accumulation of psychological, genetic and physical factors, and may differ between daytime and nighttime bruxism. Daytime bruxism can be caused by the following factors:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Developed habitus
• Frustration and impotence

On the other hand, nocturnal bruxism may be due to involuntary chewing activity associated with waking up during sleep, in addition to other psychological factors.

Jaw pain

Jaw pain is an ailment of varying intensity that, while it can be worrisome, usually does not represent a serious problem as long as it is treated early and seriously enough.

Jaw pains usually occur on one or both sides, and are generally related to oral problems such as:

• Dental abscesses
• Tooth decay
• Wisdom teeth growth
• Bruxism

In other cases, jaw pain may be related to other types of disorders, among which we can highlight

• Osteomyelitis
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Cysts or tumors

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders)

It is a disorder that affects the jaw joints that connect the lower jaw bone to the skull. It is characterized by an elevated sensitivity of the temporomandibular joint area, accompanied by inflammation, the sensation of a locked jaw and pain that can extend from the neck to the ears.

Among the most common causes of TMJ disorder we can highlight the following:

• Bruxism
• Arthritis
• Stress
• Acute trauma
• Incorrect bite

Differences between TENS and EMS Which is better for treating jaw pain?

The use of electrotyping for the treatment of jaw pain is widespread, to the point of becoming one of the most popular options for treating the symptoms of a variety of disorders.

However, it is necessary to make certain distinctions in the type of electrotherapy appropriate for the treatment of these ailments, as there are marked differences between electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

TENS therapy can be defined as a physiotherapeutic technique focused on the treatment of pain caused by injury, trauma or disease, and is defined by the following characteristics.

• Uses low voltage currents (between 1 and 250 Hz)
• It blocks the nerve endings located in the branches of the maxillary nerve and the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, inhibiting the sensation of pain
• Its electrical impulses affect sensitivity at the nerve level.
• Treats pain caused by trauma and disorders, but does not treat the source of the pain.

Muscle electrostimulation, or EMS, is a physical training method used mainly for aesthetic and sports purposes, and is identified by the following characteristics:

• It applies medium/high intensity frequencies ranging from 70 to 150 Hz.
• Interacts with muscle tissue, causing contractions that increase muscle strength, endurance and elasticity.
• EMS impulses have an influence at the muscular level, but their effect at the nervous level is very low.
• Set at the correct frequency, it can be beneficial for muscle rehabilitation following injuries.

With this information, we can say that the most effective therapy for the treatment of jaw ailments is TENS therapy, since its effect is focused on blocking the nerve impulses that generate the sensation of pain, located in the ramifications of the upper jaw, and in the maxillary region of the trigeminal nerve, mitigating the sensation of pain in the patient.

On the other hand, EMS therapy is contraindicated for the treatment of pain, since the intensity of its electrical impulses causes contractions of the temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid muscles, which can cause involuntary stimulation of the nerves and increase the sensation of pain in the patient.

Is it recommended to use EMS machines to improve bruxism?

While EMS devices can be very useful for muscle recovery and conditioning in many cases, bruxism and other jaw pain is one of which is completely contraindicated.

This is because muscle electrostimulation is not intended for the treatment of ailments, since it does not interact directly with the nerves, but rather generates muscle contractions of varying intensity, which can stimulate the maxillary and trigeminal nerves, and increase the sensation of pain if applied to a patient suffering from bruxism.

Contraindications to the use of electrodes and electrotherapy