Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

[Odhrain1]

Hi there

I am wondering if anyone has experience of TMJ Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) and if so how you managed it. I have had it for about 2 months and it also really effects my teeth.

many thanks

[Madlegs1]

Hi - when I got this ( I broke two fillings from the clenching! ) I researched on Google and discovered a site that fixed it.

Basically you put two fingers against your cheek , in front of your ear ( centre) where the second finger rests, you will feel a slight depression , just under the mandibular joint.

Lightly massage this area- it will be incredibly sore at first. Also , if able , work your jaw as if yawning.

Do this as often as possible, butnot overdo it. Within two or three days you should have huge relief. It will be sore for a good few weeks until the muscles fully relax.

Meanwhile you will need to address the stress in your life that caused the tension.

Getting gum guards is also effective , but expensive , and temporary.

You could try and google " TMJ sweet spot" and see what comes up.

Hope this helps. Cheers.

[Odhrain1 in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you - can I ask if it effected your teeth? I am not sure if mine is teeth and TMJ. I suspect due to having had 2 root canals on the right side and only using the left side, I might have a tooth fracture in the left that can't be seen by X-ray. Though my facial muscles are incredibly tight my upper right feels like there is toothache but Dentist can't see anything in X-ray!

many thanks

[Madlegs1 in reply to Odhrain1]

Yes - the grinding and clenching destroyed two fillings.

Other wise what I described above worked for me.

Good luck

[frog]

Hi, I have TJM and yes it can be very unpleasant. I can hardly open my mouth, and my teeth and jaw seem to constantly ache.

It appears there is no instant cure and it can last for weeks.

The only way I have managed it is pain killers anti inflammatory meds. I also tried a heated pad held over mr ear and jaw, this seemed to help. I also used an even low pressure downward stroke equal pressure from the top of the jaw to the bottom of the jaw. This was shown to me by a chiropractor years ago who helped to realign my jaw.

But mainly it is time and eating soft food.

Hope this may have helped.

Take care, Sandy

[Odhrain1 in reply to frog]

Thanks Frog,

which anti-inflammatory meds did u use. I use Naproxen but it does not touch the sides.

many thanks

[frog in reply to Odhrain1]

Hi, I take diclofenac, as I tried Naproxen, which is preferred by GPs but it didn't act like diclofenac for me.

But they are both antiinflamatories.

In the long run unfortunately only time seems to repair this reoccurring problem.

The only thing I was told which is the opposite to another reply, was not to open my jaw wide, like a yawn.

So really warmth, gentle massage, and antiinflamatories are the top solutions I have found.

Good luck, I hope you find relief soon.

Take care, Sandy

[johnsmith]

See an Alexander Teacher. They should be able to help. The Alexander Technique have treated many people with this problem.