What is TENS?
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation and is simply the application of a low voltage electrical current through the tissue to stimulate muscles.
Traditionally, TENS is used to relieve muscle, joint or bone problems that occur with illnesses such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia or typical muscle pain such as back and neck pain, tendinitis orbursitis. The benefits of TENS for this application has become very popular as its benefits are well known.
In Physiologic Dentistry, a special TENS unit of a very specific wavelength is applied to the muscles of the head and neck to help specific muscles, which may normally be stressed due to a poor bite position, reach a point of true physiologic rest. This physiologic rest state is achieved when the brain ‘forgets’ where the habitual bite is and allows the patient to settle into the neutral physiologically correct relationship. This is not an over the counter TENS that can be purchased online. It is an ULTRA LOW frequency TENS that is specifically designed for transneural stimulation.
TENS units which are properly tuned for Physiologic Dentistry can be used in the dental office to find a complete diagnosis as well as therapeutically and as a definitive protocol to protect optimal function and comfort for the patient.
Proper application of TENS allows for complete relaxation of the muscles of mastication and a physiologically correct and neutral posture of the mandible during the workup and treatment of the patient.
