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Hi ladies,
I feel like so isolated on this symptom and like I only have this. Does anyone experience daily TMJ to the point that it turns into back of the eye headaches and just a migraine? Dr B is aware but I'm at the point of wanting to see a chiro... what about any supportive TMJ pillows? The mouthgard costs $500 USD and not sure I want to invest in that. Even the slightest turn of my head oftentimes results into a blown out headache where its hard to work all day, especially with bright lights.
Thank you,
Adriane
Hi Adriane! I also have bad
Hi Adriane! I also have bad TMJ, but I think finally getting to the point where the disc has finally degenerated enough that the pain is becoming less of an issue thankfully, more just connstant ache. But, anything I have to chew a lot really aggrivates it and jaw wants to lock up. I have the mouth guard, but not sure it really helped, but I am a mouth breather because usually stuffed up and can't breathe through my nose, so pretty much a waste of money for me. I definitely clench my jaw more during the day from stress and being cold. I also have a forward head posture so try to remember to hold correct head posture, chin tucks, this seems to help! I did a llot of treatment for my TMJ before starting with Dr. B so had many iontophoresis treatments, massage, and PT. I know not really an option for you at this point, but simple chin tucks to help wwith correct head posture. PT would probably be ok as long as not getting iontophoresis or ultrasound with antiinflamatory treatments. It's all about strengthening and correctly supporting ccorrect posture of upper back, neck and head. Of course ask Dr. B first! Hope this helps a little! You can email me if have more specific questions! You are not alone!
Hi Adriane and Christina!
Hi Adriane and Christina!
(C, those are some great suggestions)
In addition to the chin tucks, I highly, highly encourage you to go to www.katysays.com. Katy Bowman is a biomechanist and really, really good at teaching us to notice our current poor alignment, and figure out where we need to be. So while chin tucks are helpful, actually, relaxing the shoulder blades down the back and "ramping" the head back while dropping chin so ears are truly over our shoulder is really key. Also keeping the chin dropped all day, rather than doing exercises (although nothing wrong with a few chin drop exercises!!) For those of us with forward head, this feels really funny at first. Now evey time I see someone with forward head I ramp my head back LOL. She will explain this in her blog:
http://www.alignedandwell.com/katysays/cramping-your-neck-style/
I have some jaw cracking and jaw pain occasionally. It was really bad when I was in college but not so much now.
Adrianne, did you ask Dr. B about cranial sacral therapy, chiro or osteo work?
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
I have chronic tmj since IC
I have chronic tmj since IC started. The mouth guard helps - but does not eliminate fully for me. I have found using the heating pad on the area (gently - low heat) helps me. Also doing open/close mouth exercises - all helps to relax the muscles. I to will get terrible migraines if I let it go to far without intervention with the mouth guard or heating pad.
Hope this helps.
Breis