TMJ Relief

Heather Cooper · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008, 05:10 (GMT) Post subject: TMJ Relief

I woke up yesterday with the most intense TMJ pain I have ever experienced.
It was to early to call anyone, so I started trying anything I thought would help. I came up with a combination of lot's of Motrin, moist heat and then I used a small massager on the hinges of my jaw. Stretching and jaw movements gave me no relief, they actually just hurt. It took hours to achieve any significant relief.
If anyone has had a similar problem and has a remedy I would really like to hear about it.

Allen Brown · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008, 09:44 (GMT) Post subject:

Heather -

You may already know this, but in case you don't and for the sake of others - -

I can only speak from experience. One of the most common causes of tmj is clinching the teeth. You might not even be aware of it. I suggest you see a dentist asap. My wife had tmj that caused headaches and jaw pain. The solution was a bite guard which she wears at night.

I never developed tmj but was having pain in my teeth. My dentist discovered I was a "clincher" because of hairline cracks in my molars. I, too, now wear a bite guard. Made a world of difference.

Your dentist might also recommend that you see an orthodontist.

Sounds like you did all you could to solve the "attack" you suffered. Hope you feel better!

Heather Cooper · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008, 14:00 (GMT) Post subject:

Allen,

Thank you for that information!!
Clenched teeth had crossed my mind.
My teeth didn't hurt at all and that is what made me rule it out.
Thanks for clarifying that you can be a clincher and not have sore teeth. I will look into the mouth guard ASAP.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008, 16:03 (GMT) Post subject:

Heather,

My wife suffered badly from TMJ. We ended up having to purchase an odd little contraption that she wore at night for a short while and it took care of the situation. As strange as this sounds, this little electronic device shot small muscle-stimulating jolts into her jaw throughout the night via little electrodes attached to her jaw. It was nothing painful at all and didn't affect her sleep, but it relaxed the muscles.

First of all, see a dentist or orthodontist and get their opinion. You may also want to inquire about this device. I'll e-mail my wife next and see what she can recall about it and if I find out more I'll post it here. Good luck, sweetie!

Esther Law

Heather, my friend had the same pain. She was clenching and grinding the teeth at night. Yes, the night-guard was a good treatment for her. But there's more.

What truly eliminated the problem was when she divorced her jerk of a husband. No joke. She had an abusive husband and that was why she was grinding her teeth at night. After she moved out, she no longer needed the night guard.

Not to say that your husband (if you have one) is abusive....but if you have TMJ pain from grinding your teeth, don't limit yourself to treating just the symptom. Go after the root cause. The best thing you can do for yourself is to find out why you're grinding your teeth and deal with that stress-point, whatever it is.

God bless, Heather.

Heather Cooper · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008, 03:42 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Scott for the information! Very helpful!!!

Esther,

Thanks for you input. I can't blame it on a husband or any like creature! Free as a birdie!!
I do know part of it is stress related... just can't blame it on another human being. Laughing

Esther Law · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008, 16:19 (GMT) Post subject: