TMJD....Stress....??? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

CherylLynn24 · 10-14-2003, 01:06 AM

Hi All,

I know that this topic has been gone over before, but regardless if you have a 'good' or 'bad' bite....how much DOES stress influence TMJD??
Cheryl

Marlene · 10-14-2003, 07:00 AM

Hi Cheryl,

When teeth are out of position and bumping, or the jaw is unnaturally positioned, facial muscles are used to protect or "splint" the affected parts from further damage. This splinting response overloads the muscles to the point where they are unable to relax completely. This makes them more prone to painful spasms. A small amount of increased stress is all that is necessary to trigger a painful spasm when muscles are in this condition.

Marlene

Cymy Sue · 10-14-2003, 07:33 AM

Hi Cheryl,

I don't know if this will help, but maybe.
Prior to Massage Therapy for the last 4 years and my Splint 10 months ago, my whole upper body was in a mess. Neck, shoulders, upper back, arms and of course "Facial" due to muscle problems, caused by long-term TMJD.

My MT had been able to completely rid me of the upper body pain and discomfort and some of the facial muscular problems, with almost 4 years of weekly visits. I didn't see her every week after about a year, but when I would feel tense and stressed, I would set up a few appointments.
The Splint has completely relaxed my facial muscles and I have very few minor problems now.

As you know the last few weeks have been extremely stressfull for me. My TMJD problems have not worsened. Not even a tension headache. My splint is working.

My neck, shoulders, upper back, and arms are so tensed up and hurting, I could cry. It seems like the progress made with MT the last 4 years is gone. I had hoped a couple of days of rest at home would help, but so far it hasn't. I must have gotten much more stressed than I realized. I'm sure my MT will be able to get me back to being comfortable again in a few visits.

If I had not had the splint, I don't want to even think about the shape my face would be in.(AGAIN)

It's hard to believe that muscles can react so quickly and to such a degree of discomfort with added or ongoing stress.

For those of us with any stage of TMJ problems, stress & tension is our #1 enemy.

Cymy Sue

PINKYPRISCILLA · 10-14-2003, 08:07 AM

Why do some think it is just a stress/psychological problem? Stress does trigger it because stress causes tension, which makes the muscle spasms worse, which in turn causes the pain///// the vicious cycle.

But everyday life is full of stress, there's the daily commute, jobs, bosses, family problems, illness, and money problems I guess we have to learn how to handle it so we will not grind and clench at night. Psychologically the clenching and grinding is from unresolved conflicts and stresses that we feel out of control over. I think learning not to internalize these feeling and learning to vent and talk it out should help (along with the proper bite /splint therapy)

kami-girl · 10-14-2003, 09:42 AM

Hi,
I agree that stress does contribute to an increase of muscle spasm. I would love to have someone to talk to about all the unresolved stress, pain, etc that I am going through but I think until someone is walking down this road they just don't understand. Who do you talk to? Friends, good listeners are hard to find and get tired of the negative. Family feels helpless because they want the old wife, mom back. Forget psychology $200.00/hr, psychiatrist - impossible to see one here. Doctors don't have time. The only place I have is here. Lately I have tried to make new friends but am scared to death to tell them about my problems because I know they won't understand and may avoid me as well. I know I sound negative but sometimes this tmj just gets hard to live with.

Grace