The use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the treatment of facial pain.

The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines for the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the differential diagnosis and treatment of facial pain. Most practitioners familiar with electrical modalities are aware that TENS is a physiologically-specific therapy for treating and resolving facial pain related to various neurological and/or myofascial conditions. This article proposes the added use of TENS as a diagnostic tool. The effect on the patient's pain level from the trials of various combinations of rate and width settings provides the practitioner specific information to aid in a diagnosis. Guidelines to differential diagnosis as well as protocols for office and home use of this non-invasive, non-addictive and effective modality will be presented.