myTMJ Pen vs TheraFace Pro for TMJ

In this article we see how myTMJ Pen and the TheraFace Pro compare when used for chronic muscle pain and tension around the head, neck and jaw, as is common for people dealing with TMJ Disorders. We’ll also look at all of the cheap alternatives on the market, and even give you ways to get similar effects for free! 

All from the perspective of a TMJ patient of over 5 years.

To start out, let’s look at a broad overview of both, and then we’ll get into a comparison. 

myTMJ Pen Features

• 4 Vibration modes gentle enough for the jaw 
• 4 Heating modes (100F, 106F, 112F, 118F)
• 1 Hour Battery Life - rechargeable via included USBA to USBC
• Dimensions: 0.925in x 1.4in x 5.1in
• 3 Sided Aluminum Tip - For heating, scraping, and pinpoint pressure
• Price Point: $250 Retail
• 90 Day Risk Free Trial
• 1 Year Warranty

TheraFace Pro Features

• Adjustable Percussion (3 Speeds) 
• 3 Percussive Attachments (Cone, Micropoint, Flat)
• Dimensions: 8.11in x 2.95in x 7.87in
• Microcurrent Ring
• LED Light Therapy Ring (Red, Blue & Infrared) 
• Cleansing Ring
• Price Point: $399 Retail
• Battery Life: 120 Minutes
• 1 Year Warranty

However, it’s worth noting that for the best comparison, you’re able to purchase the optional Hot & Cold Rings for the TheraFace Pro.

• Hot Ring (95F. 102F, 109F)
• Cold Ring (79F, 72F, 64F)
• Price: $99 (TheraFace Pro NOT Included)

Comparison:

Both devices are similar in the ways that they may help manage jaw problems. Whether it’s muscle tension in the head, neck and jaw, trigger points, or general pain. And they help you do this by providing a tool that can apply targeted massaging pressure, as well as optional percussive forces and temperature changes. But there are also some major differences we’ll get into now. 

 

Massage

Massaging pressure has been clinically shown to be an incredible tool to improve mobility, reduce pain, and relieve muscle tension in people with TMJ Disorders.

myTMJ Pen is designed to act more like a manual massager that allows you to scrape through tense muscle tissue, and apply pinpoint pressure to muscle knots//trigger points. However it also has adjustable vibration, which can improve the local pain reduction during massage.

The TheraFace acts more similarly to a massage gun, and has a 3mm percussive tip. It has some swappable tips as well if you want to vary the pressure applied by the percussion.

While the percussive action can feel nice on bigger muscles like the masseter and temporalis, a lot of patients find it uncomfortable - especially around the jaw joint itself. And myTMJ Pen’s aluminum tip’s ability to act like a soft tissue mobilization tool AND acupressure makes it a little more versatile if you’re familiar with massaging techniques. However this section is highly dependent on personal preference. 

So in terms of massage, both devices receive a tie.  

Heat

Heat has been clinically shown to increase blood flow, reduce tension, and block local pain signals. It’s the most widely used at-home treatment tool for TMJD patients.

This is where myTMJ Pen and the TheraFace Pro start to really differ. For one, the TheraFace Pro does not come with its hot ring attachment, so you have to buy it separately for an extra $99. Another thing most people don’t realize is that you can’t actually simultaneously massage AND heat at the same time with the TheraFace, while with the myTMJ Pen you can. Plus it comes with a much lower temperature range, topping out at 109F, while myTMJ Pen gets up to 118F. 

Because of this, myTMJ Pen wins the heat war. 

Although it’s worth noting, you can use the cold ring on TheraFace as well, which can be nice for people who prefer cold to hot. Just be careful and read the reviews, because it’s common for their cold ring to not get very cold at all (and instead start overheating).

Portability

It’s pretty clear from the dimensions that myTMJ Pen is a much smaller tool - in fact it’s over 28 times smaller in volume than the TheraFace Pro! It’s also many times lighter.

This can be a deal breaker for people who want relief on the go, since myTMJ Pen can easily fit into a pocket.

One thing that the TheraFace pro has going for it in terms of portability is its battery life, which is twice as good as that of myTMJ Pen. So if access to charging is an issue, it’s worth considering.

However from user feedback, it’s clear that myTMJ Pen has crossed the bar of portability while the TheraFace Pro remains mostly an at home tool. Whether this is important to you depends on your own lifestyle and experience with TMJ.

Are either medical devices?

myTMJ Pen is not a medical device, and doesn’t claim to treat TMJ Disorders. However it is marketed as a drug free tool that may help manage some of the pain and muscle tension experienced by TMJ patients. 

 

The TheraFace Pro also does not market itself as a medical device for TMJ Disorders. However it claims to reduce tension, relax facial muscles, and reduce minor pain in the face and jaw. It’s worth noting that the TheraFace Pro is cleared by the FDA as a class 2 medical device for its LED and microcurrent ring features, and is also registered as a therapeutic electric massager - giving it the ability to make claims outside of general wellness guidelines. 

Either way, we recommend talking to a healthcare professional before using these devices for your TMJ Disorder. 

Final Verdict

While the TheraFace Pro does have a lot going for it as a high quality premium product from TheraBody, it’s clear that it was never designed with TMJ in mind. Instead it is a fantastic facial beauty multitool that CAN be used to deal with your chronic jaw pain. But unfortunately, the fact that it’s such a general tool designed for something else means for most people who just want TMJ relief, $500 (including the hot & cold rings) is too much to pay. 

myTMJ Pen on the other hand is designed by a TMD patient specifically for use on head neck and jaw muscles. And as soon as you start using it you’ll realize all the features in its design make a huge impact on user experience when it comes to TMJ care - details that are overlooked by the TheraFace Pro. The real kicker though is that myTMJ Pen comes in at half the cost, AND offers a 90 day risk free trial where you can return it for a full refund with no questions asked.

So if you’re a beauty guru who happens who have TMJ pain and tension - it’s definitely worth getting the TheraFace Pro because of just how many features you’ll be able to experience.

But if all you care about is tension and pain relief, especially while you’re away from home, myTMJ Pen is the clear winner. 

Amazon Knockoffs

This is a warning from personal experience more than anything, but those cheap amazon knockoffs you’ll find that claim to be TMJ massagers are horrible.

For one, we did an image search, and they are all just repackaged “lactation massagers” or toys meant for the bedroom if you know what I mean.

Which explains why the vibration is way too hard (and when they say “adjustable” it’s actually just different rhythms, not vibration strength), especially for how delicate the TMJ is. It also explains why when you try them, they don’t heat whatsoever. We tested 3 of them just to make sure, but after 5 minutes, they barely hit 100F. Which, again, I suppose makes sense because the areas they were ~supposed~ to be used for are way too sensitive for anything more.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Especially when it comes to devices designed for a specific purpose vs drop shipped & repackaged products.

Actually Effective FREE Alternatives

We know some of you may be strapped for cash. So we wanted to give you some tips for how you can use the same principles used by myTMJ Pen to find relief at home right now. 

The most similar is to microwave a mug filled with water for around 1:00 to 1:10. Then use the bottom ridge of the mug as the massaging/scraping tool. This’ll let you test if combined massaging pressure and heat work as a relief method for you before purchasing anything that’ll make the process easier.   

If you prefer cold, it can be super easy to just freeze a couple spoons, and then wrap the handle in a paper towel while holding it so your hands don’t warm up the spoon too fast. This can be a perfect cold massage when you have a lot of short term inflammation going on.

Just remember, we are not medical professionals and can’t offer medical advice. Before buying anything, it’s always better to visit a medical professional. 

We wish you good luck in finding relief :)