Do these work - TENS, trigger point injections, etc??? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Wayne05 · 03-21-2005, 08:09 PM

Hi,

I'm a newbie on this board, but my TMJ isn't new (already 4 years)

. Finally found this board and I'm hoping I can get help here.

My symptom is at a mild (but lasting and annoying) level. Usually have pain around my cheek after every meal and I have to take a nap for half an hour or so to force my muscles to relax.

I was referred to a dentist (also Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain) in the Bay Area, California. His diagnosis is bilateral capsulitis of the TMJ joint, facial/cervical myositis, and headache/facial pain. The treatment plan includes: 1) a splint, 2) soft tissue mobilization, 3) transcutaneous electro-neuro stimulation (TENS), and 4) trigger point injections.

I've been reading on the web and found some negative information about some of these proposed treatments. For example, people reported side effects of splint - one patient can no longer bring his front teeth together after wearing a splint for a year. As to TENS, it doesn't take away the cause of pain, but acts to block the message of pain to the brain, according to Dr. A. Richard Goldman in his book "TMJ Syndrome: The Overlooked Diagnosis" .

My questions are:

1) I wonder if there's anybody on this board who has received these treatments?

2) Also wonder what side effects and what long-term (say 5-10 years) effects of these treatments would be? Anybody had similar treatment before? Would appreciate it if you'd like to share your experience.

3) I also would like to know much you paid in the long run. My insurance told me it would be covered - but when I looked their detailed policy, it's stated only surgical treatments for TMJ would be coverd.

Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance!

Best,
Wayne

dlys14 · 05-04-2005, 07:36 PM

Hi Wayne,

I've had TMJ for over 10 years and actually had a consulation with Dr. Goldman in Chicago a few years back. I didn't end up pursuing treatment with him because of the cost (estimated to be over $10,000!), but I am currently seeing a neuromuscular dentist who uses TENS and splint therapy. I've had some relief with it. It definitely helped ease the muscle tension and spasms I was having. After several months with the splint (I wear it 24/7), my chronic pain is essentially gone and the TENS really does seem to help for acute pain and muscle tightness.

Hope this helps.

reanell · 05-07-2005, 06:59 PM

I have just received splint therapy. After one month of an ear ache and taking Advil daily for ear pain, I found relief. This is day # 4 for the day and night splint and no Advil today. I am SOOOOO thankful!!!! I was full of anxiety about the enduring pain in my ear and around my jaw. I used to get migraines, also.
After much prayer, the Lord led me to a TMJ specialist in the Ft. Worth area who is wonderful and uses state of the art diagostic equipment.
I went for massages, chiropractic therapy, my medical doctor to see if I had a brain tumor, etc.
Don't give up, there is HOPE, pray, and ask direction. Some major medical will pay 80% of the therapy.
My day splint is hopefully temporary, and most likely the night one long term.
They are not bad to wear at all. I teach 3rd grade and my students barely could tell I was wearing a splint. It took a day or two to get used to talking in it.

GoodThings · 05-08-2005, 04:09 PM

Hello,
TENS is a diagnostic tool. Trigger point injections are only temporary. You have to treat the cause, and not the symptoms.

GT

Wayne05 · 06-28-2005, 06:26 PM

Hi, my TMJ buddies,

Thanks so much for all your inputs.

I was away from this board for a while. Since my last post back in March, I have been seeing my DDS and been on the splint therapy for almost 3 months. During the weekly visit, he also did trigger point injections and used the TENS unit while massaging the muscles on my head. I would say my pain level dropped significantly during the first week or so and since then, it stayed pretty much the same (may a little improvement).

Now there are some other things that bother me. One is that if I take the splint off even for a few minutes, I feel somewhat pain in my jaw joints almost immediately. Even if I keep my teeth apart (with the splint off), pain still comes. My doctor suggested I wear it only at night for now - but I couldn't do that because that will bring the pain back again. So the question is: will I have to wear the splint FOR EVER?

Another thing is: I feel my bite is somewhat off when I chew something. Cannot chew stuff (such as meat) easily like before. I brought this question to my doctor but his interpretation is that my bite doesn't change but I just feel that way because I have been on the splint so long that once I take it off, I feel somewhat uncomfortable with my 'natural' bite. Does that make sense?

My doctor will do some dental work tomorrow to remove a tiny layer of the surface of my teeth to make the alignment better (sorry - I forgot the technical term for this procedure). He also suggested orthodontics to be applied at some point but not urgent right now. I know my teeth are not that perfectly aligned but there were not off like this. I wonder if anybody had similar experience. If so, how did you go through this period of treatment?

One thing I'd like to add is that: with the splint on, I feel my teeth are clenching every once a while at night. Before, I have never felt this and I am pretty sure I didn't grind my teeth. I understand splint does not prevent clenching -- it only protects my teeth if I clench them. So the question is: did the splint make clenching worse or just gave me chance to feel I ACTUALLY clench?

(Sorry for writing so long.) It will be very much appreciated if you can share your experience or your suggestions!

Best,
Wayne