Posture and TMJ -- doc thinks I'm nuts - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

mrdata · 04-24-2003, 06:13 PM

Well, he didn't say I was nuts, but he seemed to be very confused and unknowledgable about conditions like mine.

The thing is, I don't have the usual "closed overbite" that he probably sees all day. I have a severe underbite that I unconsiously retrude into my chin, so it APPEARS as if I have perfectly lined-up teeth. Does that make any sense? As a result of this I have jaw clicking, a stiff neck, and respiratory problems. I also suffer from terrible, lopsided posture.

When I asked him about the relationship between jaw disorders and posture, he looked at me like I was absolutely insane.

Thanks for any insight, this is really impeding my life and no one seems to believe it has to do with my jaw.

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[This message has been edited by Well-come (edited 04-24-2003).]

HRevero · 04-24-2003, 06:17 PM

Hey MrData,
Welcome to the board!!!!
I think you have the right idea about your doctor. My pt is always checking my posture. If we don't hold our head the correct position it can disturb the rest of our body. I would get a second opinion if I were you.
Heather

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mrdata · 04-24-2003, 07:03 PM

Yeah, I'm going to try to find somebody else. I wonder if a dentist specializing in this "dental distress" rather than an ordinary TMJ/myofacial pain doctor would be a better bet.

I'm still trying to research whether bad posture CAUSES a bad bite or bad bite CAUSES bad posture. I found this passage from the site I mentioned to be particularily interesting:

"When these 136 muscles are allowed to assume a more physiologically balanced relationship by the correcting of the malocclusion and improper vertical (free way space) the head immediately assumes an upright posture, the shoulders level off, the pelvic rotation ceases allowing the leg length to equalize, and overall bodily posture dramatically normalizes. These changes are instantaneous and can be reversed by altering the occlusal support."

plymouth · 04-24-2003, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrdata:
I'm still trying to research whether bad posture CAUSES a bad bite or bad bite CAUSES bad posture.

The answer is YES!

It can go either way. Distortions in the cranium can cause postural distortions or postural distortions can cause cranial distortions.

It's usually up from the legs and pelvis into the spine and cranium, but it can go the other way.

If you have a chance to see a st. john method neuromuscular therapist, do it! Postural assessment is the foundation of their work.

take care,

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~p

[This message has been edited by plymouth (edited 04-24-2003).]