TENS and Treating TMD

    HOUSTON, TX, July 30, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is used to treat both acute and chronic pain and is an important device used to help treat temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TENS units help tense muscles relax while relieving the pain that accompanies TMD.

The TENS unit transmits electrical impulses through electrodes to the muscles that are causing your pain. The electrodes are attached to pads with adhesives and the pads are attached to wires that connect to the unit. The adhesive pads are placed on the afflicted parts of your body. The impulses help block pain signals and relax the muscles. These impulses act like an electric massage. Many patients sleep, read, or watch television while using the unit.

The unit is often times used by chronic pain patients to help manage pain. Many patients visit their neuromuscular dentist for TENS treatment while others carry a TENS unit with them and use it throughout the day. The unit you see in your neuromuscular dentist's office is larger than the one carried by patients. The unit carried by patients is a small machine powered by a battery and can be hooked to a belt or clothing or carried in a pocket.

The TENS Unit Helps TMD

Many patients who suffer from debilitating pain caused by TMD use a TENS unit for pain management. The unit is a nice alternative over using pain medication because the TENS unit does not cause side effects like many pain medications. Also, patients can continue conducting their daily lives without worrying about not being able to drive like they do while taking pain medication. The TENS unit helps manage pain, helps with TMD treatment, and lets patients continue daily activities. Unlike pain medications, the TENS unit does not mask TMD symptoms. The unit helps the progression of TMD treatment.

A TENS unit should only be used under the supervision of a neuromuscular dentist when being used to help treat pain from TMD. If you and your dentist decide that you should carry a unit with you, you will need to discuss how to operate the TENS unit and how to care for it with your neuromuscular dentist. You will also want to speak with your neuromuscular dentist about how to:

- Properly place the electrodes
- Correctly operate the TENS unit
- Change the batteries of the unit
- Vary the voltage and frequency settings
- Set the exact intensity and length of time of stimulation

The correct placement of the electrodes and the intensity and duration of the stimulation depend on the location of the pain and the type of pain experienced.

The TENS Unit and Treating TMD

Fatigued and overworked muscles in the face cause TMD pain. TMD is the result of a misaligned jaw. When you have a misaligned jaw, the muscles on one side of your face work harder than the muscles on the other side to pull the jaw in the proper position when opening and closing your mouth. This constant overworking quickly fatigues the facial muscles leading to acute and chronic pain. One of the most important treatments for TMD is to relax the fatigued muscles.

The TENS unit uses electric impulses to relax the muscles. Once the muscles are relaxed, your lower jaw rests in its proper position. Your neuromuscular dentist will be able to see where your jaw should be aligned and then your dentist can design a personalized treatment plan to help train your muscles to keep your jaw in its proper place.

If you suffer from TMD and live in Houston, Texas and are interested in how the TENS unit can help you, please visit the website of Konig Center for Cosmetic & Comprehensive Dentistry at http://www.konigdds.com.

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