Can a TENS machine be used for TMJ? The temporomandibular joints or TMJ are joints located on both sides of the face just in front of the ears. They act as a sliding hinge, connecting the jawbone to the skull. The TMJ is responsible for opening, closing, eating or yawning movements. Therefore, taking care of the TMJ is essential to maintain normal functions of the jaw. Unfortunately, TMJ can cause discomfort if a disorder or dysfunction develops. Particularly, TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. When jaw joints are inflamed or irritated, it can result in mild to severe pain. In addition, the pain can be acute or chronic. Fortunately, you can use a TENS machine for TMJ to relieve pain.
TENS Machine for TMJ Disorders
You may have developed a TMJ disorder if you experience clicking or popping in the jaw area. As a result, you may feel tenderness, headaches, and pain in your ears and facial muscle. In addition, an improper bite, trauma, arthritis, or wear and tear can lead to the condition. Since TMJ can be a medical or dental problem, a proper evaluation is critical to creating the correct treatment plan. One of the effective pain management strategies is TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A TENS machine for TMJ sends mild electrical currents to the nerves to reduce pain in the jaw area. Specifically, the iTENS from iTENS Australia is a cost-efficient device for treating various acute and chronic pain.
TMJ disorder causes painful symptoms, including stiffness of the jaw. In most cases, a TMJ disorder is temporary and can be managed with home or non-surgical treatments like TENS. However, surgery may be necessary in extreme cases. A TENS machine for TMJ stimulates the nerve fibres to block pain messages to the brain. It also induces the release of natural pain-inhibiting chemicals called endorphins. Additionally, the stimulation increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area. As a result, TENS lessens overall pain perception. You may consult with your doctor or dentist on using a TENS machine for TMJ disorder.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
The exact cause of TMJ is difficult to determine. However, an injury to the jaw joints and surrounding tissues is the primary cause of TMJ disorder. Women are more prone to TMJ, which is common in 20 to 40 years old. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain and inflammation. It can also lead to tooth erosions, bite issues, sleep apnea, and insomnia. A TENS machine for TMJ can relieve pain in the jaw, head, ear, and neck. In addition, the symptoms include difficulty in opening the mouth wide, chewing, and tinnitus or ringing in the ears. You may also feel tiredness or swelling in your face and toothache. Other factors can lead to TMJ disorder:
- Bruxism – teeth grinding or clenching
- Arthritis
- Dislocation of the jaw disc
- Improper bite
- Trauma
iTENS: Wireless TENS Machine for TMJ
Chronic pain from TMJ can be unbearable. That is why it is essential to seek professional help right away. The iTENS is a wireless TENS device for managing acute and chronic pain. The iTENS TENS machine for TMJ is beneficial to lessen the tenderness, dullness, or aching sensation. In particular, the TENS overrides pain signals to allow the jaw muscles to relax. Instead of clenching through the pain, the relaxed muscles lessen the stress and tension in the jaw. The iTENS has a set of electrodes that can transmit the electrical currents through your skin, and you can activate these electrode pads wirelessly through Bluetooth connection. The device connects to a smartphone app to facilitate easy and convenient pain relief. To use the iTENS, simply position the pads near the pain site and launch the app on your smartphone.
The iTENS app features several pre-set therapies according to body pain or conditions. For example, you may choose the treatment for fibromyalgia to treat TMJ symptoms. Additionally, you may select back pain or arthritis in the app for existing ailments. You may also set your preferred settings manually to find optimal pain relief. The TENS machine for TMJ is a non-invasive way to reduce pain. In addition, the wireless electrodes connect to gel pads to adhere to the skin conveniently. As a result, the absence of lead cables makes it easy to manage pain without inhibitions to movement.
TENS Machine for TMJ – Pads Placement
The strategic placement of the TENS pads is crucial in pain alleviation. The iTENS wireless electrode pads fit well to common pain points like the back, shoulders, arms, neck, legs and feet. Using TENS electrode pads above the neck is sensitive and may cause more harm with wrong placement. To use a TENS machine for TMJ, position the pads on each temporomandibular joint and at the neck below the base of the head. For the best results, you may consult your dentist, doctor, or physiotherapist on the correct placement of the TENS electrode pads. With proper application, you can find fast relief from TMJ disorder.
Complementary techniques to East TMJ Pain
TENS is a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free alternative to oral painkillers. People with chronic pain use TENS to avoid the adverse side effects of oral medications. In addition, you can manage pain by combining a TENS machine for TMJ with other complementary techniques. The combination of multiple methods is beneficial to feel significant therapeutic effect. It is best to use different options to manage pain efficiently. Some techniques include:
- Cold packs – Applying an ice pack to the side of the face for ten minutes help relieve acute pain
- Avoid extreme jaw movement – Eat soft food and do a few stretching exercises.
- Wear a splint or night guard – Splints or night guards are mouthpieces that provide stability and bite correction.
- Dental treatments – A dental treatment may be necessary to balance and align the teeth or jaw.
- Relaxation techniques – Relaxation techniques help control muscle tension in the jaw.
Benefits of the Wireless iTENS TENS Machine
The iTENS Australia offers an innovative method to manage pain. Through the wireless iTENS, you can treat pain with ease and convenience. In particular, the electrical stimulation from the TENS machine for TMJ provides relaxation to tensed muscles in the area. In addition, the gel pads are light, slim, and flexible and will not weigh you down when wearing them. Therefore, you can use the iTENS any time or place while working or doing physical activities. However, avoid using TENS if you are pregnant or have cancer, epilepsy, heart disease, and cardiac pacemakers. You may get iTENS from iTENS Australia for TMJ disorder and other chronic conditions. You may also use the iTENS for faster recovery of injury or post-surgery.
