Traction and TMD - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

mikealbritton · 11-27-2005, 08:59 PM

Hey Gang,
If you go to a chiropractor or your general physician wants you to do traction on your neck, proceed with caution!! Most traction exercises requires that the doctor grasps the jaw with one hand and the back of the head with the other hand and pulls with some force to free up the vertebrae joints. Another way is to use a device that attaches to the head and hung on a door. the other end of the device is attached to a rope with a water weight on the other end to apply traction, or pulling on the head to relieve joint pressure.
Whatever you do, this generally is not a very good thing at all for TMD sufferers and should be avoided or at least discussed before pursued. Again, it's just a warning..........

bonib · 11-28-2005, 12:17 PM

Mikeal,
Hi again! It is interesting that you should mention traction. I am currently getting traction for Cervical disc herniation. I'm not sure which came first tmd or cervical disc herniation or if they are some how connected.. My Physical therapist is very aware of my tmd. I get supine Traction,this type of traction forces toward the occiput to prevent compression of the TMJ through chin. I do not wear a chin strap so there is no pressure on my chin or jaw. I lay down between two soft wedges that are tightend to my comfort level. The wedges hit me under the ear and all I feel is the pulling sensation(only in the neck and a little in the upper back and shoulders).

Traction is the only thing that seems to help to some degree my neck and back pain. P.T. would like for me to do it at home and gave me info to purchase one. But the cost (just like everything else in Medical field) is high $699.00 so I not sure if I can invest that much right now( since neither medical nor Dental pay for anything to do with TMJD). If you are interested to see what one looks like and how they work, I am sure if you searched for Cervical Supine traction you could find more information.

If you are in need of traction I'm sure most physical therapy facilities have this available. I too am leary to let Chiropractor do anything around my neck and Jaw right now. I just feel that it could be counter productive to what TMJ specialist is doing.

Take Care!
Bonnie

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mikealbritton · 11-28-2005, 08:49 PM

Another option to traction is inversion. You can purchase inversion tables for under $200. I have one and in fact just got off of it. It is amazing for me. When I'm upside down, my ringing almost goes away completely?! Trust me, I hang out quite often. Are we TMD sufferers whacko or what! Just kidding! I'm actually a Pastor of a small church, own my own service station, and coach high school soccer. Maybe my problem is that I talk too much!