SECURITY

Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (Tens)

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), also known as TMD, is a neuromuscular condition characterized by pain or discomfort in your jaw muscles. This disorder is caused when your jawbone and skull are out of alignment, called malocclusion. A bite that is out of balance prohibits your muscles from fully relaxing, which can make it difficult to chew, make facial expressions and enjoy your normal daily activities.

Symptoms

TMJ has different symptoms that can affect you to varying degrees. Some of the most common include:

• Jaw and neck pain
• Tooth pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Blurred vision
• Soreness in your face
• Ringing in your ears
• Insomnia
• Anxiety

About TENS

The most effective way to treat TMJ is to find your jaw’s most relaxed state, so that it can fall naturally into its ideal resting position. This will alleviate muscle tension and help relieve your symptoms.

One way to accomplish this is through Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS). This neuromuscular machine is a non-invasive technique used to relax hyperactive muscles with low-amplitude, low frequency, intermittent stimulation. This stimulation causes your muscles to contract and relax in a pumping manner, similar to a massage.

TENS Treatment

To begin TENS treatment, electrode patches will be applied to the skin of the area or areas causing you pain. These will occur on different areas of your temporomandibular joint and jawbone. Next, a mild current will run from the neuromuscular machine through these patches. This current will generate heat that helps to:

• Improve mobility
• Relieve stiffness
• Alleviate pain

In addition to massage, the TENS machine will be used to determine how your jaw functions in different positions, including:

• Opening and closing
• Talking
• Yawning
• Resting
• Chewing

The results will indicate how your jaw is functioning. After this test is completed and your jaw’s position is recorded, your dentist can develop a treatment plan.

Results

In many cases, studies reveal that it takes about 30 minutes for TENS treatment to alleviate pain. However, for conventional, high frequency TENS treatment, there is no set treatment limit. Some patients find hours of pain relief from sessions that are only 30 to 60 minutes. Others use TENS for hours a day to relieve pain caused by normal daily activities.

Risks and side effects

Unlike surgery or prescription drugs, TENS is a virtually risk-free treatment. The low-voltage electrical current delivered by the electrodes only penetrates the skin to the level of your nerve fibers, which is only one or two inches. Therefore, the electrical current poses no danger to most patients.

While TENS is an ideal treatment for TMJ sufferers, not everyone can use this machine. If you have a pacemaker, you should refrain from using this stimulating machine because the electrical current could interfere with the operation of a pacemaker. Also, pregnant women and those with heart conditions should ask their doctors whether it is advisable for them to use this machine. If you suffer from neck and head pain that requires locating electrodes on these areas of your body, this treatment should only be performed under the consent of your physician.

About the Author

If you live in the Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin, Nevada areas, and your are looking for relief from your TMJ symptoms, please visit the Web site for Exceptional Dentistry. Nevada cosmetic dentists Dr. Laurie Bloch and Dr. Tony Tomaro are here to help alleviate your pain.

TENS machine on bryonys face – Electric Muscle Stimulator