Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    I had a mild case of TMJ which caused muscle spasms in my jaw muscles
    and headaches.  It was caused by orthodontia; my teeth were being
    shifted and had got into a position where the way they met prevented my
    mouth from closing properly, which my jaw muscles kept trying to do.
    
    They filed off portions of my teeth to get them past each other.
    This was around 1975.
    
    Just last summer a good friend was finally treated for TMJ which had
    been giving her migraines for years.  The treatment sounded incredibly
    severe to me; under general anethesia, they broke her jaw, then wired
    her mouth shut for three months while it healed in a new position.  She
    lived on protein milkshakes and learned to speak with her teeth clenched
    together (only three of us were able to understand her on the phone, a
    few more in person.)  The doctor was concerned about her weight loss
    and made her drink more milkshakes, which she now hates.  But the TMJ
    isn't giving her migraines any more, and she is most happy about that.
    
    DougO

    I don't have it, but I'm a massage therapist, and the following
    treatments have been effective for some folks (one or a combo):
    
    Chiropractic
    Osteopathic manipulation
    Acupuncture
    Cranio-sacral Therapy(TM)
    Massage
    
    I guess I'd start with either a chiropractor or an acupuncturist,
    depending on my Eastern/Western inclinations. Humph. Now that I think
    about it, I might go to *both*.
    
    --DE
    
    

    I've had TMJ for over 7 years. My jaw clearly swings when I open/close
    my mouth, but amazingly my bite is unaffected.  I believe it happened
    when I was flying - I slept leaning against my husband, and awoke with
    the most awful pain, like I'd gotten lockjaw......
    
    Initially I went to my dentist who is really keen on trying to correct
    TMJ. Although I have a lot of faith in him as a dentist I don't as a
    TMJ specialist.... the apparatus he made me fit over my top teeth and I
    was supposed to wear it when I slept. I found that I was clenching my
    jaw in my sleep and grinding when I wore the device. So, I stopped.
    
    For the most part I have no pain or discomfort, except for occasional
    cracking noises. During times of extreme stress, I find myself
    clenching and have to do some relaxation exercises to help it. I've had
    deep massage before in the jaw area, and that helped tremendously, as
    did general manipulations with a chiropractic "gun" by a chiropractor.
    There _are_ chiropractors who specialize in TMJ and can attempt to
    relocate the jaw back to where it should be.... I know of one, but am
    too timid to go to him.
    
    I rarely chew gum anymore (a big nono for TMJ sufferers) and can feel
    the stress of it when I try to chew crusty French bread or something
    tough..... else, it's livable and really no pain.
    
    Lynn
    

    see also:
    
    Holistic
    332 - TMJ note?
    
    Medical
    21 - any info on TMJ surgery?
    250 - TMJ?
    639 - mild TMJ dysfunction
    
    Womannotes-V1
    279 - upcoming TMJ surgery
    
    -Jody
    

    I was diagnosed with TMJ almost 4 years ago after suffering from severe
    migrane headaches and jaw pain.  I was a specialist who really helped
    me out here in Colorado Springs.  He used the "splint" therapy and also
    had me see a physical therapist.  This specialist was also a dentist as
    well and was very upfront and honest with me about the situation......
    
    It is only within the last few years that TMJ has been really diagnosed
    and recognized in the medical/dental field.  They are still rather
    experimenting with treatments for TMJ.  I did see another dentist prior
    to the specialist that I saw who also fitted me with an appliance of 
    which I paid $250.00 and wore for a year, only to find out that this
    first appliance did me absolutely no good.
    
    A year or so after being diagnosed with TMJ, I moved to Milwaukee where
    they actually have clinics on TMJ.  A dentist/TMJ specialist, an oral
    surgeon, an M.D., and a physical therapist all work together to treat
    the problem.  A month or so after going to this particular clinic and 
    $1,500.00 later, I watched a special on 60 Minutes involving TMJ and
    found to no avail, that one woman who had a very severe case such as
    mine had been treated for the problem for 3 years, had spent over
    $18,000.00 in treatments and was no better off than when first
    diagnosed.......needless to say, I gave up.  I don't have that kind of
    money to spend on my mouth.
    
    I still have the problem - it really flares every so often and I end up
    going to a dentist and having my jaw popped back in place and I deal
    with the migranes from time to time as well.  I haven't seen anyone for
    this in quite some time as I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done
    at the moment until new technology comes out.
    
    I have been told that I might consider surgery, but that there's only a
    50/50 chance that it will work - not much of a guarantee......
    
    I'm also very interested to see what other's have gone through and see
    what has possibly helped.
    
    -Lynn
    

    
    I have TMJ as well, and a variety of other problems with my jaw/teeth.
    My dentist estimated that to get it 'all into proper place' would 
    cost approx. 10K.  Well, needless to say, I'm still putting up
    with the pain and discomfort, although happily for me, at this point,
    it is not that severe.
    
    My internist told me the best treatment she knows for it is to put
    hot compresses on the painful areas; it will alleviate it.  Also,
    of course, stress makes it worse, so if you can learn to relax the
    jaw, especially during sleep, that helps too.
    
    

    My daughter has TMJ and at times has suffered so unbearably with the
    pain that I have honestly thought we were going to lose her....It is a
    totally disabling affliction, and for her at least, there seems to be
    no cure....
    
    She found a TMJ support group/clinic at Southwood Community Hospital in
    Norfolk (where I live) and went there a few times....Then they lost
    their funding and had to disband.....The doctor who was the
    professional consultant for the group was very helpful when it came to
    physical services, such as popping her jaw back in place when it went
    out, and also in the informational sense.....It seems that there really
    are no cures for TMJ....only learning to live with it, and trying to
    minimize the pain by whatever means possible.....She also went to a
    doctor in Worcester (don't remember his name, but it began with a "C"),
    who fitted her with a splint, which is not useless after too much use
    and inability to get a new one.....Why can't she get a new one?  The
    medical plan they have with the Teamsters Union, no longer covers any
    treatment for TMJ....They have deemed it a non-"disease" and surely
    there is no way they can afford the horrendous expenses that go along
    with treatment.......The Worcester specialist also told Wendy that
    there really is no cure, and that even if she elected to have the
    surgery it probably would only work for a while, and then she'd have
    been right back where she was.....
    
    She lives daily with pain that would have killed me by now, and somehow
    is brave enough to keep going on......Her husband is no support at all
    as he can't understand in even a small degree what she is going
    through.  I don't know what will happen to her......
    
    If anyone knows of any Support Groups in this area (we are in the 
    Belllingham/Milford area), I'd certainly appreciate the information as
    she definitely needs something to help....I try, but there's not much I
    can do for her either except understand and try to keep her
    going....Even pain killers don't really help anymore.......
    
    Barbara
    

    Can someone explain what TMJ *is* for those of us who have never heard
    of it?
    
    D!

    TMJ - Temporo-Mandibilar Joint Disturbance. 
    
    TMJ includes any disturbances related to the joints connecting the
    lower to the upper jaw.  Located just in front of the ears, these
    joints are responsible for the jaw movements that permit freedom to
    chew, swallow, and talk.  Like other joints, they are susceptible to
    arthritis and tumors.  Their close relationship to the teeth, however,
    bring about chenges in them not common to other body joints.
    
    Symptoms include deviation of the jaw to one side, pain when opening
    the mouth, soreness in the side of the face, pain when chewing, pains
    in the neck or back, and recurrent headaches.  The lower jaw may be
    susceptible to recurrent dislocation because of a weakness in the joint
    sturucture.
    
    Treatment includes grinding the teeth to adjust an uneven bite,
    replacement of improper restorations, special appliances to correct
    habits (like grinding teeth), corrections of malocclusion, use of
    physical therapy, and in extreme cases, a complete resconstruction of
    the patient's occlusion.
    
    Yup, I've got it too; that's why I know so much about it.  Right now
    I'm dealing with the pain, and hoping to find some relief through
    CST (carnio-sacral therapy - my first appointment is next week).
    
    I'd never heard of it until I was diagnosed.  All this time I thought
    the pain was sinus/migraine.  I've got high hopes for the CST.  I'll
    let you know how it goes.
    
    Cindy 
    

    What is cranio-sacral therapy?
    

    The CranioSacral System is a physiological system in humans which
    provides the environment in which your brain and spinal cord develop
    and function.  It includes the bones on your skull, face, and jaw and
    extends down the spinal cord to the sacrum.  It is connected by
    membranes enclosing a hydralic system.  From the beginning of the
    embryo on, these structures nourish and support the most sensitive
    tissues in your body.
    
    CST is and art and science used to locate and resolve the causes of
    problems.  It encourages your own natural mechanisms to: improve the
    function of your brain and spinal cord, dissipate the negative effects
    of stress, and enhance your general health and resistance to disease.
    
    For more information, or a referral call 1-800-233-5880 (the Upledger
    Institute).
    
    Cindy
    
    

    Well, I went and had my first CST session last night.  It was combined
    with a total body massage, and sure felt wunnnnnderful!
      
    For the first couple of hours afterward I had no pain at all.  Today 
    it aches again, but I'm going to give it three times - once a
    week, and see what happens.
    
    C.

    My daughter has TMJ and is doing quite well at this time although
    she went thru quite a bit if pain for awile. Her TMJ was caused/
    agravated by an assault when she was punched in the jaw. It wasn,t
    until several years later that she started having problems. The pad
    between her jaw and the skull had been collasped by the blow. They
    did some jaw realignment with external appliances, pain was controlled
    by an electronic device which was be electrods which my daughter could
    stick on where they were needed and she had a unit which clipped on to 
    her belt  with a voltage control which she cranked up until the pain 
    went away. She was finally operated on last year and had the collasped
    pads replaced. and after therpy to regain her range of jaw motion
    she seem to be doing quite well. no more pain of any consequence.
    Her insurance paid for everything.