Does TMJ Cause Scalp Tightness? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

looney · 11-23-2003, 08:34 AM

Hi,

I have severely tight muscles in my scalp particularly. It is tight on top of my head, around my temples, in the back of my head, and also through my neck and shoulders. It is VERY VERY severe. I am not even close to being able to work, and I'm not functioning well at home either. I am in agony with this.

I am wondering if anybody else has severe tightness in the scalp due to TMJ. I wonder if it is definitely TMJ or not because I developed the tight muscles after an abrupt withdrawal from Klonopin. So I don't know if it's the withdrawal or the TMJ that is perpetuating the tightness.

I asked my dentist about this, and he just shrugged. Whatever!

Thanks,

Looney

Michelle W · 11-23-2003, 10:25 PM

It seems very possible to me that your tight muscles in your scalp could be related to TMJ. I mean it causes tight muscles in my neck and shoulders why not the scalp?

Cymy Sue · 11-24-2003, 02:35 AM

Looney,

I was told many years ago that the temporals spasming can cause the scalp tightness and also pain. The temporals are large muscles compared to many of the others and when they stay in spasm, many other muscles will start to tighten and spasm, too.

It could be something else, but I've had this problem for years and it was caused by the TMJD.
Massage Therapy was the only way I found to relieve it.

If you don't mind me saying, I don't think a shrug from your Doctor was very professional or caring. This type of spasm is very real and very painful.

Cymy Sue

looney · 11-24-2003, 07:36 AM

Guys,

Thanks for your responses. I don't know how I'm going to live like this. I'm in agony with the muscle spasm. Even my eyes feel like they're being pulled out of the sockets. It's insane.

I feel so trapped because physical therapy isn't helping and I can't take addictive medications. I get horrible withdrawal from even short-term low-dose use.

What am I supposed to do?

Is the splint supposed to help the temple spasms?

I'm scared.

Looney

delilah1963 · 11-24-2003, 07:52 AM

((((((((((((((Looney)))))))))))))))))).. .
I don't know what you are to do. But you are surrounded by caring people who are here for you. The only thing I can think of is an aggressive massage therapy program...something that can continue to break up your spasms on a regular basis, with the goal that one day the muscle will "remember" the non-spasm way more than the spasm way. Not very scientific, but that type of training makes sense to me.

Hugs,
Delilah