Comparison of therapeutic effects of 940 nm diode laser acupuncture with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome: a comparative randomized clinical trial.

If you suffer from jaw pain, facial tension, or difficulty opening your mouth, you may have a condition called Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MPDS). This is one of the most common causes of orofacial pain and involves discomfort in the muscles that control chewing. Researchers have been exploring the best physical therapy options to help patients find relief, and a recent clinical trial published in Lasers in Medical Science offers some encouraging news.

The study compared two non-invasive treatments: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which uses gentle electrical currents applied to the skin, and laser acupuncture (LA), which uses a 940-nm diode laser to stimulate traditional acupuncture points without needles. Twenty-two patients with MPDS were randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments over several sessions, with a follow-up check one month after treatment ended.

Both treatments produced impressive results. Patients in both groups reported significant reductions in overall facial pain and muscle tenderness, and they were able to open their mouths wider without pain compared to before treatment. These improvements were maintained at the one-month follow-up. Importantly, when the two treatments were compared directly, neither one came out clearly ahead — both worked equally well.

This is great news for patients who may prefer a needle-free approach. Laser acupuncture offers a painless, non-invasive alternative that appears just as effective as TENS for managing jaw pain and muscle tension. It could be especially appealing for those who feel anxious about traditional needling.

If you are experiencing jaw pain or facial muscle discomfort, speak with a qualified, licensed acupuncture or dental professional to determine whether laser acupuncture or another physical therapy option is right for your individual needs.

This randomized clinical trial (n=22) compared the clinical efficacy of 940-nm diode laser acupuncture (LA) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS). TENS parameters were set at 180 Hz, 300 µs, 20 minutes per session; LA was delivered in continuous wave mode at 0.5 W, 40 seconds, 105 J/cm². Outcomes assessed included overall facial pain (VAS), masticatory muscle tenderness, maximum mouth opening without pain (MMO), deviation, and joint sounds, measured at baseline, pre- and post-session, and one month post-treatment. Both interventions produced statistically significant reductions in facial pain (P=0.000), muscle tenderness (P=0.000), and improvements in MMO (P=0.01–0.001) compared to baseline. No statistically significant between-group differences were observed at one-month follow-up (P>0.05). Clinical takeaway: LA represents a viable, needle-free alternative to TENS for MPDS management, with comparable short-term and one-month outcomes, though larger trials are warranted to confirm these findings.