ittal
07-04-2007, 03:55 AM
I'm not sure if I do or do not have TMJ. I have thought for years, that maybe I did. Every once in a great while, I will go for a day where my jaw is 'locked' in a specific position. Any deviation from the position causes severe pain.
Recently, I've developed a strange sensation in the left side of my jaw. It feels 'tight' and 'clenchy' all the time, and when I stretch it, sometimes I get a pins and needles sensation throughout my cheek.
After reading through some the threads here, I saw something about headaches that begin behind the eye. My always develop on the left side, and increase with jaw movements. The headaches, I thought, cause my jaw to hurt more - but could my jaw be causing the headaches? All of the various little oddities I have (the headaches, the jaw stiffness, the neck tightness) are all on my left side. I had always assumed it was just dumb luck - after all, there are only two sides it could be on.
So, question 1 ) Do these sound like TMJ issues? Question 2 ) How does one go about getting screened? What kind of doctor am I looking for?
Recently, I've developed a strange sensation in the left side of my jaw. It feels 'tight' and 'clenchy' all the time, and when I stretch it, sometimes I get a pins and needles sensation throughout my cheek.
After reading through some the threads here, I saw something about headaches that begin behind the eye. My always develop on the left side, and increase with jaw movements. The headaches, I thought, cause my jaw to hurt more - but could my jaw be causing the headaches? All of the various little oddities I have (the headaches, the jaw stiffness, the neck tightness) are all on my left side. I had always assumed it was just dumb luck - after all, there are only two sides it could be on.
So, question 1 ) Do these sound like TMJ issues? Question 2 ) How does one go about getting screened? What kind of doctor am I looking for?
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Thelma-Louise
07-04-2007, 11:12 PM
I agree - start with seeing a tmj specialist or neuromuscular dentist and possibly see a chiro. Cervical spine or neck alignment issues can also cause problems with the jaw since the jaw and neck share the same muscles and need each other to function properly.