physical therapy after discectomy - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

cally22 · 08-19-2003, 05:18 PM

After my discectomy, I did very little p.t. It was probably for just the first week to two weeks and they were just real general exercises that my oral surgeon quickly showed me in the hospital. From what I have been gathering from others who have had this surgery, correct me if I am wrong,other people are doing a whole lot more Physical therapy? Then my next question would be, is I have been told by pain management dr.'s that certain exercises might help my jaw. But this thought I must say doesn't sound to appealing. I have had such alimited jaw openning for such a long time and it has been so painful for me to even try to open my mouth a little that the thought of phsical therapy doesn't really get me excited, but if it would help? so what do you think?

Cymy Sue · 08-20-2003, 02:54 AM

Hi cally,

I think right now, I may be the only one on the board who posts regarding a discectomy. Carey just recently had one and is still not feeling very well.

I wish you could get more information from others and not just me. For that matter, I would like to hear from others, too.

I had extensive physical therapy for about 3 months after my surgery. It was not exercises, it was hands on therapy by a PT who is the best in my area with post surgical TMJD patients. He started working with me back in 1988 with my first surgery.

About 2 years after the discectomy, I found a Massage Therapist who was trained to work with TMJD patients. She used the same techniques as my former PT and she helped me incredibly. I had a very limited opening when I went to her and slowly she was able to increase it. She helped a lot with muscle spasms in my face, neck and upper back.

If they are trained correctly, they do not hurt you. They are very aware of the problems we have and the pain involved. If you decide to try this, just make sure it's someone who has worked with TMJ Surgicals.

I never got a lot of relief from any facial exercises and sometimes they made my condition worse.

My Therapist got me through 4 very bad years. She's very good at what she does and I saw her weekly & bi-weekly for a long time. With the problems I had, she would get everything loose and pretty comfortable and then the muscles would go back to their clenched or spasmed position. I had terrible muscle problems for a very long time and was most likely well past any type of hands on therapy completely doing away with years of spasms. She did help me tremendously and certainly kept it from getting worse. She did completely relieve neck, shoulder and upper back problems.

I got the best results from a splint that I could wear everyday or night, to let the muscles relax. As the muscles relaxed, pain and symtoms started to disappear and my opening increased dramatically.

From posts I read made by other members, I was very fortunate with the splint designed for me. Many people do not have the results I've had.

Take care,
Cymy Sue