I was wondering if you guys were/are in physical therapy along with the splint therapy? and if it helps?

Hi Pinky,

Yes, I "was" in Physiotherapy during my splint therapy. My Physiotherapy consisted of microcurrent stimulation of accupressure points. After about a year of physio, I purchased a T.E.N.S unit for home use (cost - $150.00 Can.) to continue similar treatment at home whenever I felt necessary. Along with phsiotherapy, I also went for chiropractic adjustments, and massage therapy (with ultrasound to the TM joints). I found the combination of all these therapies most helpful to my TMJ problem.

Marlene

Pinky,

I absolutely believe Physical Therapy helps. I have gone to a PT since 1988 for long periods of time. I have posted before that the "Doctors" always were astonished that I maintained a reasonable amount of function. I had been told many times, I should not be able to talk very well or eat anything solid.

About 3 to 4 years ago, I found a (Theraputic)Massage Therapist near my home who was trained to work with TMJD patients and she got me to, and help me maintain a 19 mm opening. I saw her almost every week or every other week.

Since I started my current Splint Therapy, it has worked so well, I don't see her quite so often. Just when I get really stressed or tense.

If I had not had this therapy the last 15 years, I don't know what kind of mess I would be in.

I was fortunate to have very experienced Therapists (with both)in managing TMJD muscle problems.

Take Care,
Cymy Sue

Sorry, double post.

[This message has been edited by Cymy Sue (edited 07-08-2003).]

Thanks guys for the replys.

The reason I am asking is my specialist kinda discourages
physical therapy because he wants to see how his therapy works first, which is understandable, but like you guys said for periods of stress, and tension I could use some
help. Especially with trigger point massage because of my
tight calf muscles.
A lot of my head, neck, back symptoms have improved but
does your pain related itself to the splint therapy?
It is really strange but when he changes the splint(bite adjustments) its
like all of my muscles have to be retrained?
My tmj dentist believes that a splint should be short term.

Thank you Pinky for asking this, I have been wondering the same thing. This post gave me the courage to call up to my Dr. office and ask if I could get a treatment of the pulse from the tens machine at my visit tomorrow as well as my usual adjustment to my splint. I am thinking because they are trying to move my jaw forward it is making the muscle spasm more than usual because I am almost completely locked up on the left side.

When I called I asked about purchasing a tens machine to use at home. She told me that he does allow patients to do so and that you pay $75.00 per month for 6 months and then its yours. That sounds much more expensive than you paid, Elaine.

I know I keep saying this, but thank you guys so much for keeping on posting on here and encouraging people. You have helped me more than you know.
Mary

Hi Pinky,

I was a little surprised that your specialist "discourages" physiotherapy. Most dentists who treat TMJ agree with/encourage their patients to get "complimentary" therapies (phsiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, etc.). Generally speaking, complimentary therapies "enhance" the work that the splint is trying to accomplish. If you find some added relief with other therapies, in addition to splint therapy, why should he/she care?
You stated that your specialist believes that a splint should be "short term". What is his/her idea of "short term"? Each TMJ case is individual and responds differently to splint therapy. Some may be "short term", others may require a longer period of time to achieve the desired results. There is no "set time frame" for wearing a splint.

Marlene

Hi Mary Im glad our posts help especially
Cymy Sue and Marlene because they are experienced
in tmj.

My doctor believes in splint therapy first
He is so confident in his work that he would
think it is a failure to go to therapy.

Mary,
Do a search on "tens unit". It looks to me like you can by them right off the internet without even going through a doctor. Might save you lots of money.
Take care,
Elaine

Hi Marlene,

My tmj specialist basically wants to wait
til after he is finished with splint therapy and
then see if I need physiotherapy.
He believes that if the jaw is in the optimal position
all the muscles go back into proper alignment on its own,
usually without any help. He has so much info on this in his office and I agree with him, its just the times when the jaw is moving(muscles are moving) when I could use some physio but then symptoms seem to subside on their own. I guess he is more confident than me in reducing my pain without physio.There are just the times when the bite is off that throws all of my muscles off balance.
Our head weighs 15 lbs and when our jaw is not functioning properly it throws off the whole chain of muscles. (muscle imbalances occur) THat is why we get the neck, back, and even sometimes leg muscle tightness.THe theory behind this is to get the jaw aligned properly so that they will support the head and in turn take pressure off the other muscles that have become contracted.

Marlene,

My tmj dentist believes that a splint should not just
be given to you and that you have to wearit for the rest of your life, that it should be short term to 'get you out of pain' and then stabile your jaw, then he
wants to do an equilibration and correct my bite(I bite on the back teeth only) and to have me touch my front teeth. THe splint have brought my jaw down and forward so now I don't have that gap (overbite) that I did before. THen to keep it in that position, he will equlibrate and he wants to put crowns on front 6 teeth (they have been grinded down from tmj) This will help
keep my bite from changing. THe splint is temporary he
beleives because when you don't wear it your jaw goes back into the bad position. It is a very complex theory that seems to be ok with me because I don't want to wear a splint forever.

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