Treating TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

April 28, 2009

Good Morning!

Today, researchers generally agree that temporomandibular joint syndrome falls

into three main categories:

1. Myofascial pain, the most common form of TMJ syndrome, which is discomfort or

pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles.

2. Internal derangement of the joint, meaning a dislocated jaw or displaced

disc, or injury to the condyle;

3. Degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in

the jaw joint.

A person may have one or more of these conditions at the same time. Severe

injury to the jaw or temporomandibular joint can cause TMJ syndrome. A heavy

blow, for example, can fracture the bones of the joint or damage the disc,

disrupting the smooth motion of the jaw and causing pain or locking. Arthritis

in the jaw joint may also result from injury.

Head Forward Syndrome or Forward Head Posture has been an issue recognized more

so lately, due to the fact that so many people work on computers. The pitching

of the head forward has actually become a syndrome. This weakens the entire

foundation from the lumbar spine upward. If you can imagine toy blocks all

aligned on top of each other. Now imagine pushing the top block forward. The

other blocks underneath it begin to " stress " as they try to hang on to the top

block. The same thing is happening to our spinal column as we pitch our head too

far forward, instead of keep the head back and aligned over the rest of the

spine.

Other causes of TMJ syndrome are less clear. Some suggest, for example, that a

bad bite (malocclusion) can trigger TMJ syndrome, but recent research disputes

that view. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces and the use of headgear, has

also been blamed for some forms of TMJ syndrome, but studies now show that this

is unlikely.And there is no scientific proof that gum chewing causes clicking

sounds in the jaw joint, or that jaw clicking leads to serious TMJ problems. In

fact, jaw clicking is fairly common in the general population. If there are no

other symptoms, such as pain or locking, jaw clicking usually does not need

treatment.

Researchers believe that most people with clicking or popping in the jaw joint

likely have a displaced disc -- the soft, shock-absorbing disc is not in a

normal position. As long as the displaced disc causes no pain or problems with

jaw movement, no treatment is needed.Some experts suggest that stress, either

mental or physical, may cause or aggravate TMJ syndrome.

People with TMJ syndrome often clench or grind their teeth at night, which can

tire the jaw muscles and lead to pain. It is not clear, however, whether stress

is the cause of the clenching/grinding and subsequent jaw pain, or the result of

dealing with chronic jaw pain or dysfunction. Scientists are exploring how

behavioral, psychological and physical factors may combine to cause TMJ

syndrome.

Exercises for TMJ Syndrome

Milking The Cow

The exercise so often referred to by chiropractors and craniosacral therapists

is Milking the cow.

Close your eyes.

Let the jaw relax and slightly open.

With index and middle fingers of both hands place them on both sides of the

sides of the ears at the cheek bone (zygomatic bone)

press down and pull the fingers down toward the corner of the jaw (angle of

mandible).

Repeat this stroking motion SLOWLY, 20-30 times.

This relaxes the jaw and can often " adjust " the positioning of the condylar

process of the mandible. Relieving tension in the jaw and face.

Fist Resistor

This exercise works using isometrics. Place your fist under your chin. Slowly

open your mouth wide as you resist the downward motion of opening your mouth

with your fist.

Now reverse this motion, pushing upward with your fist, allow your jaw to do the

resisting as you close your mouth with your first.

Do this 10-15 times s-l-o-w-l-y, 2-3 times per day.

Neck Relaxor

Take a large towel and fold it the long way. Roll the towel up. Now lay on the

floor and place the towel under the curve of your neck. The back of your head

should be able to rest on the floor. Now relax for 15 minutes. This allows the

curve of the neck relax into proper alignment. This exercise can be done as a

great stress reliever as well. Muscles have memory and this exercise allows the

muscles in the neck to " remember " their shape in relation to the cervical spine.

Cash Register

Project the jaw forward as if you are opening a cash register, then bring the

jaw back to its normal position. Do this 8 times, 2-3 times a day.

Figure Eights

Start by dropping the jaw wide open. With your chin, imagine drawing a figure

eight by lifting the jaw, crossing the midline of the body and closing your

mouth at the top of the eight, and then complete the figure eight by moving the

jaw to the other sider, crossing the midline of the body again and finish with

the jaw at the bottom of the eight with the mouth open. Do this exercise 8

times, then repeat going in the opposite direction. Do this 2-3 times a day.

Additional Therapies

Acupuncture: As an acupuncturist, I see this syndrome in my office at least

twice a week. Acupuncture has a great track record for helping TMJ syndrome.

Acupuncture helps by relieving persistent jaw and neck pain as well as relieving

the headaches associated with TMJ syndrome.

Chiropractor: Chiropractors can help to realign the skeletal structure of the

neck and jaw. Spinal problems and TMJ are often found together and an adjustment

can bring great relief.

Craniosacral Therapist: The work of a craniosacral therapist aims at releasing

temporal bones to restore normal function, regardless of the primary cause. This

gentle, non-invasive procedure is very beneficial.

Trigger Point Therapy: is a unique treatment protocol for the treatment of

myofascial pain. Trigger Points produce pain locally and in a referred pattern

and often accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of trigger

point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free

habits.

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/ailments.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

April 28, 2009

Great post! I suffered from TMJ pain for years and have found that chiropractic

care helps relieve mine.

Gina

, " yogiguruji " <yogiguruji wrote:

>

> Good Morning!

>

> Treating TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

>

> Today, researchers generally agree that temporomandibular joint syndrome falls

into three main categories:

>

> 1. Myofascial pain, the most common form of TMJ syndrome, which is discomfort

or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder

muscles.

>

> 2. Internal derangement of the joint, meaning a dislocated jaw or displaced

disc, or injury to the condyle;

>

> 3. Degenerative joint disease, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis

in the jaw joint.

>

> A person may have one or more of these conditions at the same time. Severe

injury to the jaw or temporomandibular joint can cause TMJ syndrome. A heavy

blow, for example, can fracture the bones of the joint or damage the disc,

disrupting the smooth motion of the jaw and causing pain or locking. Arthritis

in the jaw joint may also result from injury.

>

> Head Forward Syndrome or Forward Head Posture has been an issue recognized

more so lately, due to the fact that so many people work on computers. The

pitching of the head forward has actually become a syndrome. This weakens the

entire foundation from the lumbar spine upward. If you can imagine toy blocks

all aligned on top of each other. Now imagine pushing the top block forward. The

other blocks underneath it begin to " stress " as they try to hang on to the top

block. The same thing is happening to our spinal column as we pitch our head too

far forward, instead of keep the head back and aligned over the rest of the

spine.

>

> Other causes of TMJ syndrome are less clear. Some suggest, for example, that a

bad bite (malocclusion) can trigger TMJ syndrome, but recent research disputes

that view. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces and the use of headgear, has

also been blamed for some forms of TMJ syndrome, but studies now show that this

is unlikely.And there is no scientific proof that gum chewing causes clicking

sounds in the jaw joint, or that jaw clicking leads to serious TMJ problems. In

fact, jaw clicking is fairly common in the general population. If there are no

other symptoms, such as pain or locking, jaw clicking usually does not need

treatment.

>

> Researchers believe that most people with clicking or popping in the jaw joint

likely have a displaced disc -- the soft, shock-absorbing disc is not in a

normal position. As long as the displaced disc causes no pain or problems with

jaw movement, no treatment is needed.Some experts suggest that stress, either

mental or physical, may cause or aggravate TMJ syndrome.

>

> People with TMJ syndrome often clench or grind their teeth at night, which can

tire the jaw muscles and lead to pain. It is not clear, however, whether stress

is the cause of the clenching/grinding and subsequent jaw pain, or the result of

dealing with chronic jaw pain or dysfunction. Scientists are exploring how

behavioral, psychological and physical factors may combine to cause TMJ

syndrome.

>

> Exercises for TMJ Syndrome

>

> Milking The Cow

>

> The exercise so often referred to by chiropractors and craniosacral therapists

is Milking the cow.

> Close your eyes.

> Let the jaw relax and slightly open.

> With index and middle fingers of both hands place them on both sides of the

sides of the ears at the cheek bone (zygomatic bone)

> press down and pull the fingers down toward the corner of the jaw (angle of

mandible).

> Repeat this stroking motion SLOWLY, 20-30 times.

> This relaxes the jaw and can often " adjust " the positioning of the condylar

process of the mandible. Relieving tension in the jaw and face.

>

> Fist Resistor

>

> This exercise works using isometrics. Place your fist under your chin. Slowly

open your mouth wide as you resist the downward motion of opening your mouth

with your fist.

>

> Now reverse this motion, pushing upward with your fist, allow your jaw to do

the resisting as you close your mouth with your first.

> Do this 10-15 times s-l-o-w-l-y, 2-3 times per day.

>

> Neck Relaxor

>

> Take a large towel and fold it the long way. Roll the towel up. Now lay on the

floor and place the towel under the curve of your neck. The back of your head

should be able to rest on the floor. Now relax for 15 minutes. This allows the

curve of the neck relax into proper alignment. This exercise can be done as a

great stress reliever as well. Muscles have memory and this exercise allows the

muscles in the neck to " remember " their shape in relation to the cervical spine.

>

> Cash Register

>

> Project the jaw forward as if you are opening a cash register, then bring the

jaw back to its normal position. Do this 8 times, 2-3 times a day.

>

> Figure Eights

>

> Start by dropping the jaw wide open. With your chin, imagine drawing a figure

eight by lifting the jaw, crossing the midline of the body and closing your

mouth at the top of the eight, and then complete the figure eight by moving the

jaw to the other sider, crossing the midline of the body again and finish with

the jaw at the bottom of the eight with the mouth open. Do this exercise 8

times, then repeat going in the opposite direction. Do this 2-3 times a day.

>

> Additional Therapies

>

> Acupuncture: As an acupuncturist, I see this syndrome in my office at least

twice a week. Acupuncture has a great track record for helping TMJ syndrome.

Acupuncture helps by relieving persistent jaw and neck pain as well as relieving

the headaches associated with TMJ syndrome.

>

> Chiropractor: Chiropractors can help to realign the skeletal structure of the

neck and jaw. Spinal problems and TMJ are often found together and an adjustment

can bring great relief.

>

> Craniosacral Therapist: The work of a craniosacral therapist aims at releasing

temporal bones to restore normal function, regardless of the primary cause. This

gentle, non-invasive procedure is very beneficial.

>

> Trigger Point Therapy: is a unique treatment protocol for the treatment of

myofascial pain. Trigger Points produce pain locally and in a referred pattern

and often accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of trigger

point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free

habits.

>

> Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

> http://www.peacefulmind.com/ailments.htm

> Therapies for healing

> mind, body, spirit

>

April 29, 2009

Hi,

I, myself, had chiropractic treatments for TMJ. I wish the results were more

long term. On the other hand, my mom saw someone for cranial sacral treatments

and the results lasted over 10 years. She is just now starting to feel symptoms

again. For a complete list of cranial sacral therapists in your area, I found

this website to share: http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/CSTA_home.html

Jennifer & Robert -

Protect Yourself From The Swine Flu

http://www.shopnutronix.com/bt73811 (visit Silver Solution under Products)

--- On Tue, 4/28/09, Gina <jeanawalz wrote:

Gina <jeanawalz

Re: Treating TMJ: Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 12:49 PM

Great post! I suffered from TMJ pain for years and have found that

chiropractic care helps relieve mine.

Gina

, " yogiguruji " <yogiguruji@ ...>

wrote: