TMJ Headaches and TMJ Migraine Headaches

TMJ Migraine Headache pain.

Does this sound like you?
You feel as if your head is about to split open, like someone has hammered a spike into your eye, your temples throb,you are nauseous,you have tooth pain, your neck and shoulders and back hurt, then it is more than likely you have TMJ.  
Whether your headache is a severe migraine headache or a tension headache and you have tried various treatments to no avail and no-one has suggested TMJ as a diagnosis it is because your practitioners you have been seeing have not been schooled in the relationship between head pain and TMJ.  In fact, there are many practitioners and specialists that are skeptical of the relationship between TMJ and head pain. The good news is that there are TMJ specialists out there who can diagnose your TMJ and recommend or provide the correct therapy for your TMJ disorder.
Now you may be someone who already knows they have a TMJ disorder and that your headaches are merely a symptom of that disorder or you have suffered from migraine headaches for some time and are now discovering that TMJ is the cause.  Whichever it is you can be sure there are treatments available for your headaches. But first, let us look at the different types of headaches and how to recognize them by their symptoms.

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Headaches types.

So you have TMJ and one of the symptoms is headache or migraine headache.  This type of headache is known as a secondary headache.
Secondary headaches are recognised as being caused by an underlying condition.  In this case, the underlying condition we are discussing is TMJ.

According to the Mayo Clinic there are three common headache types:
   Tension headache, which can last from twenty-five minutes to an entire week and manifests as dull pressure on both sides of the head and sometimes also the neck and may also include fatigue and a feeling of a rigid band circling the head with pressure and tightness.  Tension headaches can reoccur daily to very infrequent.

  Migraine headache, which can last from four to seventy-two hours and is moderate to severe throbbing pain and can be located  on one side or both side of the head. The frequency of recurring migraines varies greatly. Symptoms can include nausea,vomiting,sensitivity to light, smell and sound and pain will increase with physical activity.

   Cluster headache, which is sharp, severe pain that develops suddenly over a matter of minutes and is located on one side, often around the eye or behind the eye and can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to three hours. Included symptoms are runny nose, nasal congestion, teary eye on one side, red eye and feeling agitated. The frequency of this type can be one or more every day during "clusters".

Why do TMJ Headaches Happen?

TMJ Headaches are due to the involvement of the trigeminal nerve which is located on the side of the head is one of the most powerful and complex nerves in the human body. It innervates the jaw, teeth,eyes,tongue, palate lips, sinus and face so it it has a close association to the TMJ. Certain areas of the brain are also innervated and controlled by the trigeminal nerve.  In fact, it is estimated that the brain uses an astounding 40% of its energy figuring out the messages from the trigeminal nerve and sending messages back through the nerve. The trigeminal nerve is also linked to other nerves that control sensation and function of most other muscles in your thoat, neck and head; the vagus, facial and hypoglossal nerves.  A disturbance in any one of these four nerves will end up distrubing the other three.  Along with TMJ symptom of headaches it is not uncommon to experience issues like burning tongue, burning thoat, blurry vision, problem swallowing and difficulty breathing.

When is Your Headache NOT TMJ related?

While doctors are beginning to realize that most tension headaches are caused by TMJ it is still very important with any type of headache that you see your doctor for a diagnosis.  If a physical examination does not reveal the cause of your headaches then you should have a neurological examination to rule out critical conditions such as West Nile virus.

A sudden, severe headache can be due to brain tumor or cerebral aneurysm or meningitis or virus.  Please seek immediate medical attention!

Headaches are also a symptom of flu, fatigue, hypertension, eyestrain, fever, sinus problems and ear problems. So get a diagnosis so that you can eliminate receive the dangerous disorders and receive the proper treatment for your headache.

Home treatments for TMJ headaches.

As soon as you feel a TMJ headache coming on try these remedies.

Lie in a dark, quiet room that is free of any odors that can aggrevate your headache.

Lie on a cold pack placed at the back of your neck for 10 to 15 minutes.  A hot compress at the back of the neck will reduce muscle tension.   I have even tried both hot and cold simultaneously; cold to back of neck, heat to forehead, temples.  That is my preference.  You can switch it around if you prefer.

Try to relax your face and jaw by yawning.  If you pretend to yawn trust me you will eventually yawn for real.  It will reduce muscle tension.  Do your jaw or TMJ exercises.

Essential oils such as peppermint oil or lavender oil rubbed at the temples or on neck can help you to relax and breathe freely as sinus and breathing problems often happen at the same time as your headache.

If you feel up to it and you have someone you trust, try having them give you a massage.  Focus on neck, shoulders, back and temples.

In case you are dehydrated drink some water.

Practise relaxed breathing and do a systematic "tense and relax" routine on your body starting with your feet.  As you lie quietly tense up your feet and toes as much as you can for 4 seconds then let go the tensed muscles and relax the feet until you feel them comletely relax.  Work your way up your calves, thighs, hands, arms, abdomen, shoulders, neck and face doing the same "tense and relax"
procedure.  This is a great way to relieve yourself of stress at any time and it can be done to help you fall a sleep at night.

Drink a strong cup of coffee.  Caffeine can help to relieve headaches as it reduces blood vessel swelling and that is the reason it is an ingredient in some pain medications.

Take an over-the-counter medication.  Talk to your doctor about which is best for you and how often you can take the medication since prolonged use of analgesics can cause stomach problems and bleeding and even increase the risk of heart problems. Four such analgesics are Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Aspirin, Naproxen(Aleve).

You can also read the list of possible home remedies to try on Tips for Treatment of TMJ.

Medical Treatments for TMJ Headaches.

Medications: - Your doctor can prescribe a medication that will work to either prevent a migraine or headache as it starts or prescribe a medicine to reduce the number or frequency of your headaches.
Triptans are a group of drugs used to prevent the onset of a migraine headache and they target seratonin. They include brand names such as Imitrex, Zomig ,Amerge, Maxalt, and Relpax.
If the triptans do not work for you then there are other drugs your doctor may prescribe such as Cafergot, D.H.E. 45 injection, Migranal Nasal Spray, Midrin, Compazine and Phenergan. 
If you suffer from severe migraine pain your doctor may prescribe a narcotic such as Vicoden or Tylenol with Codeine No. 3.

Botulinum Toxic (Botox)  is now being used to successfully relief headaches.

Physical Therapy
Acupuncture

IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)

Mouth Splint or night guard or NTI.

Things You Can Do to Reduce TMJ Headaches.

Get plenty of sleep.
Stop smoking.
Eat healthy meals.
Drink plenty of water.  6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
Learn Yoga or relaxation techniques.
Avoid stressful situations.
Do regular jaw exercises.
Practice good posture.
Try a soft food diet.


Resource Links

American Headache Society

Academy of Neurology

International Headache Society

Migraine-Headache Resource Center

National Headache Foundation

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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TMJ Splint Therapy

Splint and Other Names.

Discussions about splints can often be confusing as there are many other words used for splints:  bite plate, bite applicance, mouth guard, night guard, night splint, occlusal appliance, orthotic, brux guard, mouthpiece.

Have You Tried Conservative Treatment Options?

It is true that most TMJ disorders will be helped with natural, home and professionally non-invasive treatments.  There is no harm in trying these options in conjuction with Stress Management and possibly Psychotherapy. The decision to wear a mouth splint for TMJ syndrome should only come after you have tried more conservative treatments and are certain that none of them can help your TMJ
disorder.  In addition, you have found a reputable TMJ specialist with experience in orthodontics that you feel comfortable with and trust.
Preferably, given your condition, the TMJ specialist will have encouraged you to exhaust all home remedies and non-invasive medical procedures prior to a discussion about Splint Therapy.  Even though the wearing of a splint is not an invasive option the follow up to a splint will very likely be invasive.

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Splints Types

Stabilization splints prevent night-time Bruxism, the clenching and grinding of teeth.  This type of  splint covers all the teeth and can be manufactured using a hard or a soft material.
Repositioning splints are worn 24 hours a day and are adjusted regularly by an orthodontist to get the joint (TMJ) to slowly end up in the correct position in the socket. 
Wearing a correctly made splint is said to allow the muscles to relax and therefore help rid you of jaw and face pain.  A splint will also protect teeth from wear and tear, stress fractures and chipping.

Why You Need a Splint

Your TMJ or joint and teeth are correctly positioned when all your teeth make simultaneous contact at the exact moment the condyles are seated in the most stable position in the sockets.  In this ideal position , there are no forces to damage the disc, joints or teeth and the muscles are relaxed or in a neutral position.
For TMJ disorders, your teeth may come tgether but the joint is pulled out of the socket.  This position leads to Buxism , the grinding and clenching of teeth at night.  Another TMJ disorder has the joint positioned correctly but the teeth do not come together correctly or only partially.
Treating a damaged joint with splint therapy is not a cure.  The splint will help manage the problem by placing the joint in a less traumatizing position so pain and future damage are minimized.  You may experience difficulties with wearing a splint such as a problem speaking, sleeping and it may be uncomfortable at fiirst. You will have to modify your diet somewhat, choosing softer foods.
A correctly made splint will put the joint in the right position and provide a bite where teeth, muscles and joint do not work against each other. If your symptoms improve from splint use then it can determined that the problem is definitely TMJ dysfunction. 
Some people who are having success with their splint in relieving their TMJ symptoms opt to continue the therapy instead of proceeding to the next phase.

Phase One - Getting the Splint

Apart from giving your medical history the doctor should also know about any dental history and if you have had any accidents or injuries. Give a detailed account of your TMJ symptoms such as headaches, pain and any sleep disorders. The doctor will examine you thoroughly and take X-rays of the jaw and a panoramex film.  An MRI or CT scan, though expensive, are well worth the money to get a good diagnosis from the doctor.
 
Once the doctor has his diagnosis he will discuss a treatment plan and what it may include.  Obviously a splint and perhaps medication to help reduce pain and muscles spasms and inflammation.  He may also recommend physical therapy to strengthen and increase range of movement which will help to prevent further joint injury.  The doctor may suggest injections to relieve trigger points in muscles or
alleviate inflammation.  In some cases, severe myofascial pain and headaches can also be treated with Botox injections.

Dental moulds of your teeth will be taken and precise measurements made.  Lastly your splint will be checked for fit and the doctor will inform you about care of your splint device.

Next Phase After Splint

You have been getting good results now for several months from wearing a splint 24/7 and it is time to take it out.  However, once a splint has been worn for a period of months or in some cases years, you will likely find that it has changed your bite and jaw position. 
At this point you will enter the next phase of therapy which can include the following treatments:

 Reshaping and/or grinding the teeth
 Braces
 Crowns, bridges or veneers
 Surgery

These treatments are permanent, cannot be reversed and there is a possibility that they may not work.

Splints and Research

It is important to note that there has been no significant or extensive research done on splints as a treatment for TMJ.  Be very caution
before beginning any treatment option that can cause irreversible harm.  Seek several independent, professional opinions prior to
commencing any treatment.


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The Anatomy of The Temporomandibular Joint

Dem Bones.

TMJ is really the hinge that allows us to open and close our jaw. However,we commonly refer to any pain or dysfunction in the hinge as TMJ or TMD (Temporomandibular Dysfunction).  Right now we are just looking at the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint .

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Let us start by taking a look at the bony structure of the TMJ or temporomandibular joint.  There are two TMJ joints, one on each side of the skull.  The name comes from the two bones that make up the joint.  One is the bone on the side of the skull called the temporalis bone and the second is the lower jaw bone which is called the mandible. Hence the name temporomandibular joint.  These joints are located just in front of your ears.  These joints are nothing more than hinges which allow us to open and close our jaw.

Between the Bones.

Surrounding the TMJ joint is a capsule of fibrous material.  Between the bone joint is a special disc which is an extension of the capsule called an articular disc which is formed from a flexible, tough yet elastic tissue called fibrocartilage  Our ears are made up of this fibrocartilage.  This thin disc divides the joint into two cavities.  When the joint is in motion or there is pressure on the articular disc it releases synovial fluid into the cavities and this fluid acts like a shock absorber and reduces friction.  There is only one other place in the body that require an articular disc and that is where the top of the sternum, clavicle and first rib all meet.  At first, when you open your mouth a rotational movement occurs with the lower jaw and the disc but when you open the mouth even wider there is a second movement called the translational or forward and downward sliding movement of the disc and the jaw.  The two ends of the mandible or jaw are called condyles which comes from the word ”condyloma” which is derived from the Greek word ”kondylos” which means a knuckle or a knob. Further, “condyle” refers to a rounded articular surface.  This knob or condyle butts up to the underneath side of the TMJ disc.  On the mandible the glenoid or mandibular fossa meets the upper side of the disc and is a depression or concave-shaped.

Joining It All Together.

Ligaments are strong, tough, rope-like connective fibres. They connect bones to each other and connect cartilage to joints.. There is one primary and two secondary ligaments of the TMJ.  The temporomandibular ligament is the primary ligament which consists of two parts; the outer oblique portion or OOP and the inner horizontal portion or IHP.  The two minor or secondary ligaments are the stylomandibular ligament and the sphenomandibular ligament of which neither is directly attached to any part of the temporomandibular joint.

During movement only the jaw moves. Muscles attached to the bones and joints allow a variety of movements.such as yawning, chewing, talking, singing, shouting and swallowing, making the temporomandibular joints the most flexible in the human body. These sophisticated joints can move up and down and side to side in a wide range of motion and in a normal healthy jaw there is no pain or discomfort with these movements.

Muscles and The Nerve of It All.

The four muscles of mastication move the jaw or mandible.  They are the masseter, the medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid and the temporalis.  The Trigeminal nerve is the sensory nerve for the face and the motor nerve for the mastication muscles  As the name suggests, the trigeminal nerve is made up of three branches.  The ophthalmic V1, sensory, the maxillary V2, sensory and the mandibular V3,motor and sensory branches.

TMJ Disorders, Pain and Discomfort.

Muscle fatigue from clenching the jaw or grinding your teeth, arthritis, and jaw injury are some of the causes of TMJ disorders. Understanding the anatomy of the joint will help you to better understand the workings of the TMJ and how surrounding bones,ligaments, nerves.and muscles can be affected when you experience temporomandinbular disorder.


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TMJ and Stress

Chronic Stress Can Lead to Physical Disorders

Anyone who has TMJ  or TMD will have their own unique profile.  There will always be several factors contributing to their dysfunction for instance, stress, arthritis, trauma or accident, even birth defects to name but a few.  Stress is one of the primary contributing factors leading to TMJ.

If you are feeling threatened in any way the body's natural automatic stress response is designed to protect you from aggression or predators.  This is often referred to as the "fight or flight response" which prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from a threat to your survival.  The body releases chemicals and hormones to provoke action on your part as well as communicate to areas of the brain controlling motivation, mood and fear.  Once the situation that triggered the  response has been dealt with the body and mind will return to a relaxed state.

Stress is a normal reaction to all the demands you must meet everyday and while some stress is beneficial long-term stress can be harmful.  Long-term stress puts you at risk for diseases  such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, weakened immune system and  many others. With chronic stress in your life, the mind and body will suffer. 

In today's society there are many stresses that you often cannot fight or run from and so you must sit and wait until a later time  to deal with a situation.  This can cause aggressiveness, hypervigilancy and over-activeness and then you act in ways that are self-defeating and work against our emotional  and physical well-being.  The build up of stress hormones in the body can lead to psychological and physical disorders.  Examples of physical disorders are teeth-grinding, muscle tension or headaches.


It is no wonder then that stress is a major factor in TMJ or TMD. The same nerve that is activated in the "fight or flight response" , the Trigeminal nerve or fifth cranial nerve, is also used by the Temporalis, Masseter and Pterygoid muscles used to chew, bite and swallow your food.

Research tells us that more women have TMJ than men.  Even though men have more stress than women the research shows that men have better outlets for relieving stress than women do in our society.  In the human body the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system are the control mechanisms by which stress is translated into a physical response. High stress levels have been associated with TMJ pain.  What physical responses do you have to stresses in your life?  Do you bite your fingernails, chew on a pen or pencil, clench your jaw,  gnash your teeth.   Perhaps your posture changes from being standup straight to being hunched over or head and jaw jutting forward which puts added weight on neck and shoulders.  You may even be asleep while your body manifests its stress in physical ways such as bruxism, the clenching and grinding of teeth.  Have you ever woken in the morning with a headache or migraine and experienced a dreadful pain behind one eye or on one side of your head?  Have you ever felt a throbbing pain on one side of your head that is very sensitive to the touch?  Do you suffer from stiff neck and shoulder pain?

How to Deal With The Stress

Dealing with stress is your best defense against the resulting symptoms of TMJ. Take a good look at areas of your life that are causing you stress. Make your home environment soothing and free of clutter.  Have an tranquil spot where you can go to relax.  It may be a home spa decked out with  soothing music, aromatherapy or delightful bubble bath or a shady spot in the garden where you can read your favorite book. Give your home positive energy with Feng Shui and add live flowers and well placed items that have meaning for you.

How is your attitude?  If you can perceive your life in a positive way this can help you lower stress levels. Most people I meet seem to have a degree of "perfectionism" in them which often causes them stress as they can never live up to their own idea of perfect. Overcome that need to be "perfect" and let yourself relax.  One way is to be happier and laugh at yourself when something does not turn out just the way your wanted.  Remember Bridget Jones and her "blue soup"?  Find your sense of humor by looking for the humor in everyday events or rent some funny movies that will make you laugh.  

Try positive affirmations if you recognize that the little voice in your head is too negative.  Get that voice to start speaking positively.  Try visualizations to send your worries and stresses up in a balloon, high into the sky until it disappears from view and then relax by letting go of those stressful thoughts and issues in your life.

Are you overloaded with too many things to do? Learn to say "No" and do not overload yourself with more than you can handle. If you find saying "No" too hard then say "Yes, but I wont get to it until next week" or "next month".

Take a close look at your relationships and end any relationships that are toxic to you.  Make new relationships with people that make you feel better not worse.  Let their "feel good" behavior rub off on you.  Mimic their behavior even if it feels awkward to you at first  and pretty soon you will find that your attitude becomes more positive and you are happier.  If you cannot totally avoid people that cause you stress then try to see them as little as possible. Why would you invest in a relaationship that makes you feel stressed?

Deal with resentments and let go of anger. Learn to communicate your feelings and not hold them in.  If you cannot talk to the person or a friend write down the issues that are giving you stress.  Realize that you cannot change other peoples' behavior.  You can only change your own  and by doing so you will see a change in their behavior.

 It is important that you take good care of yourself.  Make sure your diet is healthy and you are avoiding eating foods like sugar and caffeine.   Make sure you are getting a good night's sleep.  Eliminate late nights and excessive intake of alcohol.  Invest in a good pillow that will allow you to sleep on your back.  Get plenty of exercise and fresh air. Any exercise whether gentle and slow like Yoga or demanding and fast like running will help relief built-up stresses.  Make time for a hobby that gives you pleasure.

TMJ and You

Evidence shows that 75% of TMJ sufferers will benefit from stress-relief techniques.  Do the TMJ exercises and methods of relaxation that best suit you.  Continue with your chosen treatments and medications.  However, if your teeth are misaligned then you need to seek out the help of a professional doctor or dentist. The goal is to relief TMJ pain and getting rid of stress will be a major contributing factor to your recovery from TMJ or TMD.


"TMJ NO MORE" has helped thousands get relief from TMJ or TMD.


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TMJ AND IMS: My Success Story

TMJ and Me.


I am a TMJer. At 57 years of age I consider myself to be lucky. Why?

Because I haven't had severe or chronic TMJ problems and have been pain free relatively speaking for many years. I say "relatively speaking" because in hind sight I realize that frequent migraines, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain and head and jaw pain came from my TMJ disorder.  My TMJ causes were mainly stress and poor posture so I consider myself lucky not to have any trauma  or degenerative joint or dislocation of the joint or arthritis of the TMJ joint.

A Little of my TMJ History

I never knew I had a TMJ problem until the early 70's when I was barely in my twenties and I began to have severe sharp pains in my right ear. My immediate thought was that I had an ear infection but the sharp pains would come and go. I had always known that my jaw didnt open and close evenly but it didn't give me any discomfort and so was just a fleeting thought that I had a mild physical oddity. As quickly as I noted it I forgot about it.

Then came the ear aches. Acute and for seemingly no reason. I felt well enough so how could I have an infection? After a few days of off again on again pain I visited my doctor. I was examined and checked for fever and he looked in my ears. Finding nothing the matter he referred me to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Specialist.

I don't recall his name but I do recall how quickly he arrived at a diagnosis. Of course he had my GP's report, so he put his fingers in my ears and asked me to open and close my mouth slowly. As I did this he said I had a dysfunctional something or other. He talked I listened but I guess I looked somewhat skeptical. He asked me to put my fingers in my ears and open and close my mouth as before. I felt that old uneven feeling as my chin performed an 'S' curve only this time it was fingers getting the full impact of my faulty jaw. For a brief instant I thought to myself .... Oh yeah I know I have that!....And then the realization that this was what was causing my ear aches was somewhat astounding. I was also very relieved that I didn't have an infection.

I bet you TMJer's out there are wishing right now that an infection was all you had; at least it could be cured with antibiotics. I understand completely.

It was then the doctor gave me a set of exercises to do and I still do them today. I am no expert but in the last little while I have watched videos and read up on TMJ exercises that appear to be as ineffective as they are ridiculous. Why, you ask? My reasoning ( and I am taking full writers license here) is that the jaw has about a force of 300 to 400 psi give or take. That's a lot of force and the exercises I have seen have you placing two fingers against your cheek and moving your jaw against them with pressure applied. I am sorry but that doesn't seem an effective exercise or a relative one to me. Not when you realize that the jaw can apply some incredible forces when clenching, chewing.

I have had success with the exercises given to me over thirty years ago by the ENT specialist and which I wrote about in detail on my first page" Treatments for TMJ".
Those exercises have proven valuable to me and I perform them any time I feel TMJ pain.

Major TMJ Flare-up
I cannot move my head


So it was just before Christmas and I was getting Christmas preparations underway for the visit from our daughter and our two grandchildren. As well as that, I was spending many long hours at my computer on projects that were causing me stress. So much so that I didn't notice how bad the pain was getting in my face, neck and shoulders. I admit to sitting badly in my chair. My posture is usually the first thing I forget when I am stressed.  Stress and bad posture are two major causes for TMJ jaw disorder.

With no time to spare I barreled ahead with my projects and Christmas chores. What a shock when I tried to get out of bed one morning and I could not lift my head off the pillow, there was so much pain. It wasn't just my neck that hurt, I had a pulsating pain on the right side of my head and the right side of my face felt bruised. Did I mention I was biting my nails quite a bit. Naughty me. When I finally managed to stand up by rolling over and dropping my feet on the floor I found I could not turn my head even an inch without awful pain.

IMS to the rescue.

IMS stands for Intramuscular Stimulation and I am fortunate to live in Victoria, B.C Canada and have qualified Therapists in clinics nearby.

Immediately, after one treatment I had nearly full range of motion moving my head to the right and just small amount to the left. During the week I continued to get better, the pain in my neck and shoulder decreased and then I could feel pain in my jaw and teeth I had not felt before because my neck was so bad. One week later I had my second treatment and a week after that I was almost back to normal. No jaw pain, just some soreness in my neck. I didn't need a third treatment.

I am so thankful I discovered IMS . It worked on my back when I was diagnosed with a spinal stenosis and it worked on my TMJ.


Read below the excerpt from Author Robin Shepherd of
The Institute for the Study and Treatment of Pain
IMS Practitioners in the United Kingdom

What is intramuscular stimulation (IMS)?

Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is an effective treatment for chronic pain of neuropathic origin (see below). IMS was developed by Dr.Chan Gunn while he was a clinic physician at the Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia. Dr.. Gunn, is currently a clinical professor and teaches IMS at the University of Washington's Multidisciplinary Pain Centre in Seattle and the University of British Columbia's Medical School. IMS is also taught and utilised at many centres around the world.

IMS is effective and has few side-effects; the technique is also unequalled for finding and diagnosing muscle shortening in deep muscles.

Although IMS uses implements adapted from traditional acupuncture, it is based on scientific, neurophysiological principles. The acupuncture needle used is very thin (much thinner than the hollow needle used to inject medicine or take blood samples). You may not even feel it penetrating the skin, and if your muscle is normal, the needle is painless.

However if your muscle is supersensitive and shortened, you'll feel a peculiar sensation - like a muscle cramp. This is a distinctive type of discomfort caused by the muscle grasping the needle. Patients soon learn to recognise and welcome this sensation. They call it a "good" or positive pain because it soon disappears and is followed by a wonderful feeling of relief and relaxation. The needle may still be in you, but because the muscle is no longer tight, you no longer feel it. What has happened is that the needling has caused your abnormal muscle shortening to intensify and then release. It is important that you experience this sensation in order to gain lasting relief.

Neuropathy - what happens when nerves start to go wrong...
Doctors usually have no difficulty in treating pain caused by injury (a fracture, for example) or inflammation (such as rheumatoid arthritis). They are perplexed however by pain that shows no sign of tissue damage or inflammation.

This type of pain, known as neuropathic pain, typically occurs when nerves malfunction following minor irritation. Nerves and nerve endings become extremely sensitive and cause innocent, harmless signals to be exaggerated and misinterpreted as painful ones.This characteristic is known medically as supersensitivity). The result is pain, even when extensive medical tests show there is "nothing wrong". Until recently, supersensitivity has received little attention in medical circles.

The effects of IMS
The effects of IMS are cumulative- needling stimulates a certain amount of healing, until eventually, the condition is healed and the pain disappears. Some patients treated with IMS have remained pain-free for over 20 years.

Frequency of treatments
Treatments are usually once a week (but can be spread out to two weeks) to allow time between treatments for the body to heal itself. The number of treatments you require will depend on several different factors such as the duration and extent of your condition, how much scar tissue ther is (this usually increases after surgery) and how quickly your body can heal. The rate of healing depends on the condition of your nerves(young people usually heal more quickly although his is not always the case). If the pain is of recent origin, one treatment may be all that is necessary. In published studies of patients with low back pain, the average number of treatments required was 8.2.

Treating neuropathic pain
Supersensitivity and muscle shortening cannot be operated on and "cut away". "Pain killers" and other analgesic pills only mask the pain. The goal of treatment is to release muscle shortening which presses on and irritates the nerve. Supersensitive areas can be desensitised and the persistent pull of shortened muscles released.

The shortened muscle syndrome
An important factor in neuropathic pain is muscle shortening, caused by muscle spasm and contractor. Muscle shortening produces pain by pulling on tendons, straining them as well as distressing the joints they move. Muscle shortening also increases wear and tear and contributes to degenerative changes such as tendonitis and osteoarthritis.

These conditions are customarily regarded as "local" conditions and may not receive the appropriate diagnosis or treatment.

IMS Practitioners

See a listing of IMS Practitioners at : http://www.istop.org/membersusa.html

TMJ and You
Dont Despair, Options are Here.

There are many TMJ treatment options for you to consider. Start with the conservative approaches and work your way through them. Give yourself lots of time to see if the treatment is working and be honest with yourself about the effort you are putting into following the treatment program.

Take care, TMJers. Wrap up with your gel packs and heat bags and find the treatment that works for you. Ask lots of questions and get several medical opinions before having any surgery.

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TO FIND OUT MORE.




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Surgery to correct TMJ

Surgery for TMJ
Faulty Jaw and Relief from Jaw Pain
Severe cases of TMJ or Faulty Jaw are no laughing matter. Fortunately, only a small percentage of TMJer's with advanced problems will end up having surgical intervention.
When surgery is recommended be sure you seek lots of other medical opinions before proceeding.

How did we get Here?
A proper diagnosis can only be arrived at through appropriate examination and screening for structural disorder within the joint itself. A panoramic X-ray is a great screening tool used by dentist or Orthodontists and shows both jaw joints, and an unusual flattening of the joint can mean you have TMJ. The x-ray can reveal cysts, tumors, nasal area and irregularities in the bone as well as any indentation on the lower jaw (mandible) which is caused by clenching and grinding of the teeth. Depending on what these images reveal, your dentist may recommend an intra-oral appliance, orthodontia or maxillofacial surgery. You may be referred to an oral surgeon or oral and maxillofacial surgeon who will further evaluate and treat your Temporomandibular disorder.


Surgery as a Last Resort
The End Game.
Typically, surgery is considered only after all other conservative TMJ treatment options have been attempted or eliminated as viable options. However, surgery may not always resolve TMJ issues. All TMJ-related surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

Arthrocentesis

A minor cleansing procedure, an oral surgeon inserts a needle into the joint area dispensing a sterile fluid which irrigates the joint and removes debris and inflammatory byproducts. In some cases, the surgeon may insert a scalpel-like instrument inside the joint and remove any tissue adhesions and reposition the joint hinge.

Arthroscopy

The up side and The Study, Kyoto, Japan.

During this procedure, your surgeon makes an incision at the temple point in front of the ear to reach an endoscope into the surrounding area. The endoscope provides a visual guide so that your surgeon can remove any adhesions, treat inflammation or reposition the disc.



The Study , Kyoto Japan. Courtesy of Science Direct.

Outcome of arthroscopic surgery for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint:long-term results covering 10 years

Objectives: To investigate the long-term success (10-year results) of arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint. Patients and Method: A survey was undertaken of 37 patients who had been treated with arthroscopic surgery for TMJ internal derangement from 1986 to 1990. Thirty-three patients responded, of whom 30 were women and three men, whose age at surgery ranged from 14 to 77 years (mean: 35.1 years). The mean follow-up period was 10 years and 2 months. All patients rated their pain level on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and also recorded pain, jaw dysfunction, and activities of daily living (ADL) before surgery, and at the time of the survey. Interincisal opening was self-assessed (mm). Pre- and postoperative pain, dysfunction and ADL scores were compared for outcome and statistically analyzed with the Student's t -test. Results: Intensity of pain as rated on the VAS was significantly reduced from 5.15 to 0.34 (p<0.01).>p<0.01).>

The Down Side

Although arthroscopy (arthroscopic surgery) for temporomandibular joint dysfunction or damage (TMJD) may seem like a relatively easy minimally invasive outpatient procedure, it is typically considered a "last resort" treatment option as complications occur that can result in increased pain or joint dysfunction, nerve damage and even permanent jaw mobility reduction.

Discectomy
Then next type of surgery to consider for your TMJ problems is called a discectomy. This surgery is done to remove the disk that is providing the joint with cushioning. It usually takes a few hours and recovery can take a couple of weeks. While you are waiting for the tissue to cover the joint, the bones will be grinding on each other. However, within 4-6 weeks you'll usually enjoy some pain relief and begin using your jaw once again.
Open joint Surgery ( Arthroplasty)

This procedure involves approaching the temporomandibular joint through an incision in a skin crease in front of the ear.. This may be the only option that provides access to deteriorating bony structures or chipped bone areas. Depending on the type of problem, your surgeon may use a scalpel to remove or re-sculpt the affected area.
Articular Eminence Recontouring
You'll find that this TMJ surgery is done on the socket area of your jaw joint. Sometimes the socket can be too deep, causing there to be pressure on the joint's ball. This causes swelling and pain to occur. Smoothing and shortening the articular eminence can take away this pressure, giving some relief from the pain. Usually this surgery is done if trauma to the joint has occurred, or it can be included as a part of a replacement surgery.
TMJ Replacement.
TMJ replacement surgery is done if the joint is damaged and there is no way to repair it. This TMJ surgery is to remove the old joint and put in a new one. This could be a partial replacement or a total replacement. There are many risks to this surgery and it should only be used as a last resort for those who have exhausted all their other options. There is a long recovery time and it can take a long time to get used to the replacement joint.
Partial Replacement
When only one of the components (disk, ball or socket) of the TMJ is replaced, it is called a partial joint replacement. If the temporal bone no longer provides a smooth socket (articular fossa), a metal liner (fossa replacement) is placed inside the TMJ to restore motion and flexibility in the TMJ. When the ends of the jawbone (condyles) are damaged and no longer ball-shaped, they can be replaced. Surgeons can harvest bone from another part of the patient's body, such as the ribs, and attach it with screws to the damaged section of the TMJ. A metal prosthesis is often used instead of bone because less surgery is needed, since there is no "donor" site.







Total joint Replacement
This type of surgery is reserved for those severe and chronic conditions that haven't responded to other surgical methods. This involves removing the deformed or degenerated joint and replacing it with a custom-designed TMJ prosthesis made specifically for each patient.
Due to the general risks associated with surgery, this treatment is used only after other treatment options have been considered.
Remember, it is only in rare cases that surgery will be required or recommended and doctors will always take the more conservative approaches first to relief jaw pain and joint disorders. Also important to note, is that the results achieved through surgery are not always what they are hyped up to be.

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Dental Procedures for TMJ

TMJ and the Dentist Chair

Make the Pain Stop

The American Dental Association estimates there are as many as ten million Americans with TMJ disorders.

To the poor TMJer's who brave the Dentist office looking for relief you have my greatest admiration and my deepest sympathies.

When I was very young many moons ago, I lived and went to school in a small town in New Zealand.
On the grounds of most city schools was a small brick-built one or two-chair dental clinic. Young Dental Nurses employed by the Government fresh out of a rigid two-year course attended to the dental health of rosy-cheeked school children up to the age of thirteen.

I have such fond memories of those antiseptic smelling clinics, the nervous nurses and the cheery sound of the drill. Yep I am lying! The bloom went out of cheeks pretty fast I can tell you when I had to visit the Dental Nurse. As much as I didn't like the smell, sound or FEEL of that drill ( I am told it was powered by electricity but in a power outage it could be foot-operated!) I didn't know what I was in for until at the age of thirteen I had to go to the family dentist.

This guy was a close family friend. I figured my parents must have owed him a ton of money or run over his dog and having me in his chair was his chance at retribution. I think he used saline in the needles. His drill had these mammoth drill bits and he liked to run the drill really slowly.

I thought the juttering vibrations would cause me and the chair to crash through to the first floor. Hey, maybe that is where my headaches and TMJ started; from this heavy handed Dr of Misery. I feared this man and his evil equipment and on my visits to him I would deal with the pain by citing a poem over and over again in my head.

Well that was then and this is now. I love modern dentistry, sort of. Well it has improved tremendously with all the great new anesthetics and supersonic what-nots and I think the College of Dental Surgeons screen now for maniacal masochists. Yes, Dentistry has definitely come a long way.

So my TMJers what can it do for you?

Mouth Splint

Don't talk with your mouth full.

Dentists like splints because they are the most popular non-surgical means to treat TMJ pain in the jaw. The Occlusal splint is a removable dental appliance made from either hard acrylic resin or a soft resilient plastic. It is possible to buy a generic mouth slpint for your TMJ over the counter at some stores but it is alway wise to seek advise from a TMJ specialist first.

There are several distinct types of Occlusal splints.

Stabilization or flat plane splint. Designed to reduce teeth grinding and relax jaw muscles it fits over all the upper teeth.


Modified Hawley splint. This splint fits on the upper jaw and makes contact with only the six lower front teeth. Only worn at night it keeps the teeth from grinding and clenching.

NTI-tss (Nociceptive Trigeminal Tension Inhibition Suppression System. (Try saying that while you are wearing one.) It doesn't sound like it but it is small and fits on the front upper teeth and is designed to prevent tooth clenching and grinding. However, because it fits on only a few teeth, it places a great deal of stress on them and that can be harmful to those teeth. There is also a danger of this small device being swallowed if it comes off at night.

Repositioning splint. A more invasive form of splint treatment this device is used to move the lower jaw either forward or backward into a new position permanently.



Questions you should ask your Dentist about splints.

• Why are you recommending this type of splint to me?
• Are you recommending this splint to decrease my pain, reposition my bite or both?
• What are my other options?
• What happens if my pain gets worse while wearing the splint?
• What happens if I develop an open bite (teeth no longer touch)?
• What proof do you have that this splint will help?
• Do I wear the splint during the day, night, or both?
• How long do I have to wear the splint before I feel significant improvement?
• If the splint doesn't help, what's next ?
• Will follow-up treatments be required, how many and how much each visit cost?
• Will insurance cover the cost of the splint and the follow-up treatments?
• Must I sign a financial contract with you to begin treatment?

Dentists who treat TMJ disorders will administer X-rays and prescribe a splint. They may also have you get other treatments such as massage to help you get relief from TMJ and ease the wearing of a splint.

After the Splint what are the Options?

Since many splints can change the bite and the teeth-jaw relationship, it is advised that patients exercise caution when beginning treatment, and seek a second (or third) independent opinion before consenting to irreversible treatments like these.

Splints may only work for a short term period and may even change your bite. If a splint fails to work, your dentist may recommend options for re-alignment of your teeth.

If simple techniques fail, more invasive treatment can be considered.

This could be Orthodontics or veneers, crowns and bridges. Perhaps even reshaping (grinding) of the teeth.

• Please note that these treatments are IRREVERSIBLE (so they are permanent even if they do not work).

Surgery is considered a last resort by most TMJ experts.

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Medical Treatments for TMJ

Alternative Medicines
What Choice Do I Have and Who Treats TMJ?

I have found it fascinating to discover how many different treatments there are for TMJ. I have tried to do justice and reveal all of them here but in my defense if I miss one or two it is only because I never heard of them. So contact me if there is one you would like to me add.

A special thanks goes to

Health & Wellness House

811 Rogers Close, Victoria, BC, V8X 5L5

Phone: (250) 592-6001

and

David Arnold, BESc, DSHomMed, RCSHom, RAc, RTCMP
Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Classical Homeopath

for allowing the use of the following:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

The two main components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years and continues to be a reliable and effective treatment for many ailments. The technique involves inserting and manipulating very thin needles (single-use sterile stainless steel) into various points on the body. Some points are inserted locally to relax tense muscles, to reduce pain, or to accelerate healing of an affected area. Most points are located along energetic pathways called ‘meridians’. These meridians relate to all aspects of our body and mind, they regulate bodily functions as well as thoughts and emotions. Through various diagnostic methods the Practitioner is able to determine where ‘qi’ (or energy) running through them may be blocked, deficient, excessive, or simply where it needs balancing. Stimulation of these points and their corresponding functions leads to improved energy flow and overall balance throughout the body. This allows the body to be better able to heal itself, as well as maintain an increased state of health and vitality.

Chinese Herbs have been successfully used for thousands of years. They are prescribed either in decoction (cooked in water) or in powders, granules, pellets or tablets. They are most always combined together into a custom Formula that is specific to the patient’s illness and constitution.

There are also many other related therapies under the scope of TCM practice, including Acupressure, Tuina Massage, Moxabustion, Cupping, Gua Sha, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Meditation.

Additional Treatments of TCM.

Acupressure

The same acu-points and treatment principles as acupuncture, but only finger pressure is used. This may be used in conjunction with an acupuncture treatment, or used alone for those who do not like needles.

Moxabustion

The burning of Mugwort leaf on or over acupuncture points to warm and invigorate the meridians and channels.

Cupping

Using a flame to heat the inside of a glass cup and applied to the body (commonly along the back) immediately creates a small vacuum as the air cools. The result is that the skin is gently pulled upward. The function is to move stasis and remove toxins or pathogens from the body. The cups may remain stationary or are moved to create a massage like experience.

Gua Sha:

Combined with massage oil, gentle scraping tools are used to stimulate the surface of the skin. It may be used as a diagnostic tool as well as for moving stagnant qi or blood.

Tuina Massage:

A form a Chinese massage that incorporates a variety of manipulation and kneading techniques, directed along meridians and energetic pathways.

Ear Seeds:

Reflex areas of the entire body are mapped on the ear. In this treatment, small seeds or pellets (gold/silver) are applied to the indicated points of the ear and may be left on for days at a time, acting as continuous stimulation for healing of the problem area.

Medical Massage for TMJ

Rub me the Right Way.

I have trouble lying on my front due to neck pain so I doubt this would work for me. Although I do like a good massage to relief tension and tight muscles.

TMJ and Physical Therapy.

Physiotherapy seems to consist of stretching and strengthening exercises for the face, head and neck muscles and and helping with relaxation. If you have a mouth guard or appliance these exercises can enhance their effectiveness.

A treatment program may include one or more of the following:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises of the jaw, head and neck
• Postural correction, relaxation and breathing exercises
• Manual stretches and mobilizations of the jaw and neck joints
• Laser, ultrasound and electrical stimulation to improve healing.

Injections

What's in that syringe, Doctor?

There are few clinical studies on the effectiveness of injection treatments and they are not approved by the FDA for treating TMJ Disorders. However, your health care provider may recommend injections treatments so be sure to ask what the basis is for recommending such a treatment.
You injection cocktail may be one of three drugs or substances.
Botulinum toxin type A (also known as Botox).
Research is under way to learn how Botox specifically affects jaw muscles and their nerves. The results of this research will let us know if this drug may be useful in treating TMJ disorders.

Steriod Injection (ie Cortisone).

According to The TMJ Association controversy still surrounds steroid injections as a treatment for TMJ disorders. Injections are used in reducing inflammation in cases of an acute flair-up of degenerative joint disease or rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is only a temporary measure and does not address the cause of the problem. If used too often the injections can actually cause degenerative joint changes which is like adding insult to injury.

Hyaluronan (also called hyaluronic acid).

This is sometimes used to treat osteoarthritis in the hips or knees, and is not approved by the FDA in treating TMJ.

Here is what The TMJ Association has to say about Prolotherapy:
"Prolotherapy (also known as sclerotherapy). Prolotherapy is a technique in which an irritating solution is injected into a ligament or muscle tendon near a painful area with the intent of inducing the proliferation of new cells and thus strengthening these structures, supporting the weakened muscles, and eliminating the pain. Although it has been used mainly to treat chronic low back pain, it has also been recommended for patients with temporomandibular disorders. However, there is no scientific evidence to show that weakened ligaments and tendons are the cause of pain in TMD patients, or to substantiate the effectiveness of this procedure in eliminating the pain. Moreover, there are no studies to show what these solutions actually do to the tissues. Therefore, prolotherapy should be avoided."

Medications

I hope you found something interesting on this page. There is one more medical treatment I want to tell you about but I will save it for another page because it is one I have experienced personally and I can tell you that there is hope for relief from TMJ pain. It will be called TMJ and IMS.
Look for my next post on Dental Prodecures for TMJ.

Natural and Home Remedies for TMJ

My TMJ is relieved though not cured.

Well a couple of weeks have gone by and my TMJ is decidedly better. Thank goodness.

I can tell you that I have had two appointments with a Physiotherapist who is trained in IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)and it worked wonders. (More on IMS later on other Post).

I also have been quite diligent in doing my exercises and stretches. Now do not forget that I have been living with TMJ for over 35 years and while I have had headaches and neck, jaw and head pain at various times I never had episodes quite so debilitating as the recent one. It was this bad event (that I don't even want to recall) that made me realize I should have been getting my sore jaw straightened out (so to speak) long ago.

So my research on TMJ has turned up way more than I bargained for and while I am not a fan of all the treatments listed some are very affective. I believe every man should make up is own mind on what works for them and what does not. So let's get started.

Natural and Home Remedies for TMJ

Keep your Mouth Shut and Relax, Madame!

In seeking relief from pain a lot of you sufferers out there have probably done most things of the natural and home remedies for TMJ including some of from the remedy list below.


1. Ice is Nice. Ice is very effective in numbing the pain. Keep some of those handy gel packs on hand in the freezer. In my house ice packs are one of the natural home remedies for TMJ that I view as a mainstay.

2. Some like it Hot. Take those same gel packs and heat them up. Personally I like to use the grain filled heat bags like Magic Bag....another mainstay in my house.

3. Avoid hard and chewy foods like water taffy, chewing gum and steak. Try not to stress your jaw anymore than it already is. Avoid food eating contests too unless you can eat small bites really, really, really fast.

4. Look down at your hands. Yes I am talking to you. Do you have nice fingernails? No, well then ....STOP BITING YOUR NAILS and give your joint (can I call it that?) a chance to recover. Your jaw will thank you and so will your fingernails. That is what we call and win win situation folks.

5. If this list is a big YAWN for you. Don't. Yawn I mean. But if you have to.... put your hand under your chin and stop yourself from doing an impersonation of Jaws.

6. Have good posture when standing or sitting and learn to relax your facial muscles throughout the day. I sit at a desk for many hours each day and tend to stick my neck out literally and my jaw is usually tensed up.. It is hard to change old habits but the alternative is worth the effort. Learn some relaxation techniques such as
Meditation, Deep Breathing, Yoga, or Tai Chi. These relaxing home remedies for TMJ are well worth the effort to ease pain and muscle tension.

7. Throughout the day drink plenty of water and at nighttime curl up with the old bag.... er, heat bag or gel pack and /or an ice pack and get a decent amount of sleep. Your body is telling you it is not happy so do it a favor and give it the rest it needs. Natural remedies for TMJ such as sleep and drinking water are ...well natural.
Did you know some gel packs can withstand 700 psi so dont worry about lying on one all night.
8. Supplements. To be truthful I had never heard of using supplements for chronic TMJ. I take supplements everyday but not for my wonky jaw.  Using supplements as natural and home remedies for TMJ have proven successful.
Of the four recommended supplements I already take three and they are;
Glucosamine Sulphate, this is great for helping rebuild cartilage and you mandibular joint has cartilage that is bearing the brunt of bruxism so it can use some support. This supplement gives me strong sturdy fingernails that I can actually grow to a nice length. I have always had thin soft nails that break easily but not anymore.

MSM otherwise known as methylsulfonylmethane helps reduce inflammation of the area around the joint and help with muscle spasms. Yikes I hate those spasms
.
Magnesium which is a natural muscle relaxant.

The last one is Kava (Piper methysticum) which calms nerves and aids in relaxation. I could write a whole blog on this stuff but surprise someone beat me to it and its a gem.
http://kavaroot.com/aboutkava_frames.htm

9. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, (NSAID's) such as Ibuprofen, Excedrin, Advil and Motrin to name a few readily available pain relievers. If you are experiencing pain that just wont quit then sometimes you  may need over the counter medications in combination with other natural and home remedies for TMJ to help you get relief from TMJ pain.

10. Muscle relaxants. Some muscle relaxants like Robaxacet or Robaxin - methocarbamol are available over the counter in Canada and may be obtained online without a Doctor's prescription in America.

http://www.natural-holistic-health.com/tmj-exercises

Diet and Foods that can help relief TMJ

Hmmmm, Salisbury Steak and Mashed Potatoes.

If your TMJ is particularily bad you may wish to consider eating a soft food diet.

Eat foods rich in Omega 3 Fatty acids which are a type of polyunsaturated fat that is essential for our bodies to function. Studies have shown that Omega 3 fatty acids act as an anti-inflammatory and researchers say it is better to get your Omega 3 fatty acids from food intake rather than supplement form.

There are two major types of omega-3 fatty acids in our diets: One type is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in some vegetable oils, such as soybean, rapeseed (canola), and flaxseed, and in walnuts. ALA is also found in some green vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, and salad greens. The other type, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is found in fatty fish. The body partially converts ALA to EPA and DHA. Salmon contains more omega-3 than any other type of fish or seafood, so it's a smart choice for a healthy diet. Other fish options are Albacore Tuna, Swordfish, Sardines, Mackerel, Atlantic Herring and Lake Trout.

Soft Food Recipe

EASTER FISH PIE

Ingredients

600 grams prepared creamy seafood chowder or soup
1/2 cup crème fraiche or sour cream
500 grams fresh fish, cut into 2cm squares
2 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
2 tblsp fresh parsley
1/4 cup diced gherkins
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

Topping

400 grams sweet potato, peeled and chopped
400 grams pumpkin, peeled and chopped
2 tblsp butter
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Method

1. Warm the seafood chowder and crème fraiche together gently in a saucepan. Fold in the fish, spring onions, parsley gherkins, and cook gently for 2 minutes. Lastly fold in the chopped eggs and then transfer the mixture to a 5-6 cup capacity oven-proof dish.
2. Cook the sweet potatoes and pumpkin together in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and mash until smooth with the butter. Season with salt, pepper and the nutmeg. Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the fish pie.Hmmmm, nice soft food.
3. Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes until piping hot.  Enjoy your soft food meal.

"EAT SOFTLY AND CARRY A SMALL FORK"

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Tips for treatment of TMJ.

Hi my name is Lucy .  I live on the West Coast of  Canada and I am fifty-seven years old and I love sailing , painting and gardening.

I found out over 35 years ago that I had TMJ when I went to my Doctor  about an earache.  When he couldn't find any infection he referred me to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist.  It sounds funny but the Specialist had me stick my fingers in my ears and open and close my jaw.  It was then I felt my jaw clunk unevenly and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder was the name he gave me for the sharp pain in my ear. TMJ causes this symptom along with many others. I needed TMJ or TMD treatments.

I was given some stretching and resistance exercises  to do and was suggested I take some muscle relaxants and avoid eating things like Big Macs.  I was interested in what had caused this and was told that it could have been dental work (some of which I had done recently) or it was stress related;( also a possibility) as stress can be one of a number one tmj causes.
It wasn't until recently that I became very very interested in TMJ jaw disorders after I experienced a wicked episode of neck pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain and head pain that sent me in search of some serious help for the pain TMJ was giving me.

What is TMJ Disorder?


TMJ disorders (TMJD) cause pain and tenderness in the TemporoMandibular joint (TMJ) — the joint just in front of your ears on either side of your head where your lower jawbone meets your skull. It is by far the most complex and most over-worked joint in the human body.
TMJ jaw disorders can be caused by many different types of problems — TMJ causes are often very individualized and there is a long list of causes including arthritis, jaw injury, or muscle fatigue from clenching or grinding your teeth.
In most cases, the pain TMJ causes and the discomfort associated with TMJ disorders can be alleviated with self-managed care or nonsurgical treatments. About 5% of all TMJ cases are severe, such as TMJ dislocation and may need to be treated with dental or surgical interventions. TMJ surgery should be a last resort and your decision to have TMJ surgery should be arrived at with the help from a TMJ specialist.

Click here for a cure for TMJ

Symptoms of TMJ

- Headaches, migraine headaches.
- Jaw locks opened or closed.

- Ringing or buzzing in the ears.

- Hearing loss.

- Problems swallowing.

- Neck pain and shoulder pain and back pain.

- Stiffness in jaw joint.

- Inability to open mouth wide.

- Inflammation, swelling.
- Clicking and popping sounds.

Types of Treatments for TMJ.


There are many  treatments  for TMJ that range from very passive of exercises to the extreme of invasive surgical procedures.

Exercises.  Ranging from passive movements to stretching and resistance.

Diet and stress management.

Medications.  Anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants. 

Mouth appliance or Splint             

Corrective dental procedures.

 Physiotherapy.

Acupressure.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Ultrasound.

Botox treatments.

Trigger-point injections and Radio Wave Therapy.

Acupuncture

Prolotherapy _Injections of an irritant to stimulate repair of ligaments and  tendons.

Surgical intervention.


Easy Exercises to help relieve TMJ.

These TMJ exercises below were given to me as a simple ways to reduce TMJ pain.  Do them in the privacy of you own home.  Done regularly, you can expect to have increased movement in your TM joints and more relaxed muscles. Start with 3 repetitions and increase over time to 10 repetitions.

 1. First, with  mouth closed place the palm of your hand under your chin and creating resistance with your hand slowly open your mouth wide.  Now that mouth is wide open place two fingers of the same hand on the lower teeth, then slowly close the mouth again using resistance. Go slowly and be gentle. Do repetitions.

2. This exercise is similar to 1.  except you  thrust your jaw straight forward with the palm of you hand  against the chin giving resistance.  Once the jaw is fully extended place two fingers of the hand on the lower teeth and now using resistance pull the jaw straight back to its resting position. Do repetitions.

3. Make a fist with your left hand and place flat side of your fist against the left side your jaw.  Using resistance slowly move your jaw to the left, once fully extended to the left place a right hand fist against the right side of jaw and using resistance move the jaw all the way to the right. Do repetitions.

4. Gently close your mouth and touch the roof of your mouth with your tongue.  Hold  the tongue on the roof of your mouth as you slowly and gently open and close your mouth. Do repetitions.

One important thing to note: if you have severe TMJ symptoms, it is always a good idea to consult with a doctor in order to determine the best treatment plan. These exercises may be helpful to relieving the pain, but there may be other treatments to consider as well.

If you do these exercises daily it will increase flexibility  the joint and also strengthen and help to relax the jaw muscles.  These TMJ exercises can greatly alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ, and contribute the the healing of this disorder.

NY Times Article Best Treatment for TMJ May be Nothing, worth a read at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/health/03brod.html

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A wonderful program to try for those of you seeking relief from TMJ pain is
TMJ No More

A Natural Remedy for TMJ that has helped thousands of men and women.

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Linking Pages

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