TMJ Support Group

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ syndrome, is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain and impairment.

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zerenitynow 09/09/2011

At the site tenspros they have a number of microtens units. Many of them have higher power modes as well for other parts of the body. Has anyone had any success using microtens for pain relief? If yes what settings did you use - pulse rate, width, wave form yada yada?

deleted_user 09/11/2011

sorry I havent used them - but I am interested in the answer too

deleted_user 09/20/2011

I used some at the neuromuscular dentist. You just set it so your jaw clicks on its own, so enough to not cause too much dis-comfort. I found them fantastic and instantly got rid of all my pain. My dentist guy leant them to me for a while when I was in serious pain. I highly recommend them to anyone with TMJ.

zerenitynow 09/20/2011

Hi Debski. "Set it so you jaw clicks on its own?" Not sure I catch your drift on that one. Can you explain? Did you put two pads on the left jaw and two on the right? I am interested in any details - settings or whatever. It would be amazing to have a predictable way to have a pain break. NSAIDs are no match. The only predicable method I have right now is swimming. That is a miracle for which I am thankful. But I can't exactly carry a swimming pool around with me. :-)

deleted_user 09/20/2011

At least you can swim, I find swimming sets my shoulders/neck off, it gets so tense and sore.
The one I used maybe slightly different, it had 3 pads, one for each jaw at the top, so when you open your mouth feel and place it where the bone is, and one for the base of your neck.
I set it so that when your mouth is just relaxing normally it moves it enough so that your teeth touch together on every spasm that it creates, if you get my drift. I found it wonderful.
Also acupuncture really helped with me.
I now wear an orthodic plate 24/7 and have done for nearly 2 years now. I found a great neuromuscular dentist here in Perth, Western Australia so i was lucky there as I would say my pain levels went from 10 out of 10 to now approx. 1-3 out of 10.
Hope this helps.
Does yours have 4 pads? If so I would put one on each side of your jaw and two at the base of your neck either side of your spine.

zerenitynow 09/21/2011

Thank you so much for sharing the details of how you used the TENS at home! Yes now I get what you mean by the jaw clicks - pulsing with the pulse of the TENS output. Gotcha. It's also interesting to hear your positive experience with the neuromuscular dentist. I haven't seen a lot of success stories posted by patients on this and similar health boards regarding NMD. I wish more patients with success would post what worked for them.

One thing on my swimming program.. I usually take i a hot tub for 10 minutes or so prior to getting in the pool. This seems to loosen the muscles in the neck and shoulders and jaw.

Best to you!

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