Can TMJ dysfunction cause problems elsewhere? - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

Jenny R. · 08-08-2006, 04:30 PM

Hello fellow friends, I was wondering if anyone can help me out here?

Here goes my complaint:
I have occasion ear pain, fullness feeling, and sometimes a ache or stabbing.
My face near my jaw will tighten, and then the bug crawling sensation starts,
this only lasts for a few seconds.
Migraine headaches on the left side (same side and jaw and face problems)
these are always mid-cycle or before period.
left sided neck pain
left sided shoulder pain and stiffness
my jaw does pop, atually both do
I get dizziness when I eat crunchy things
These feelings all started about 8 years ago with the migraines
6 years ago the facial problems started
Everything started after a minor fender bender
After reading on the internet about the facial feelings and ear pain, I have put myself in a tizzy because of reading that MS causes these sensations.
I have had so much anxiety over this in the last 6 years that I finally decided to have a brain MRI done in April this year.
Everything was normal, except for a extensive sinus infection.
Now for the last 5 years, I have developed what I call as buzzing sensations under my skin, the appear at different places, at different times, I have no weakness, no numbness, no vision problems, I can tolerate the heat, in fact, hot baths and warm weather make me feel good, and I don't have any fatique, I suffer from insomnia though, probably because of worrying about these feelings. Can TMJ cause these feelings elsewhere in the body, or could I just be suffering from health anxiety? Anyone have any thoughts, please let me know, I'm so tired of worrying about this. Thanks

Thelma-Louise · 08-09-2006, 07:07 PM

tmj can affect the rest of the body - but since you mention you were in a minor fender bender - did you ever get treated or checked for a slight whiplash to the cervical spine - the back of your neck at the base of your head? A misalignment there due to a sudden impact, even if it was slight and did not cause any pain at the time, can also cause tmj like symptoms. Just a thought.

Jenny R. · 08-09-2006, 09:19 PM

Thelma-Louise, thanks for your reply. I did have an x-ray done about 4 years ago at the chiroprators office, he said that the c-1 looked a little misaligned. Could this cause all these weird sensations though? I never had a headache before this fender bender happened, about 3 months later I started with these migraine type headaches, only on occasions, then only two years after the headaches, came the facial feelings and ear pain, followed by the neck stiffness and shoulder pain, as the years went by they have become more intense, and I can definently say that they are hormone provoked, from keeping a log of them. I have been going to PT, and so far it has seemed to lessen the facial pressure/tingling in the jaw area. But could the other feelings be connected to this when they appear in different areas of the body? And how might I ask? Thank you for your thoughts !!!! Take care

Thelma-Louise · 08-10-2006, 10:34 PM

Oh I definitely think a misaligned C1 can cause most if not all your symptoms. I am living proof of it. I have so many strange and wierd symptoms not normally associated with tmj but I am getting the most relief from these symptoms (ear ringing, facial tingling, numbness, ear pain and pressure, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, nausea and eye pain) by seeing a NUCCA or Upper Cervical chiro. Apparently when my jaw suddenly deviated way back when (no one seems to know why) it pushed against the back of my neck and pushed the C1 one off to the left which in turn affects your central nervous system (tingling, spasms, pain) and cervical spine (forward or tilted head posture, one leg shorter than the other or one shoulder higher/lower than the other even if you don't feel or notice it). While most chiro's can treat the C1, NUCCA or Upper Cervical Chiros specialize in only the C1 - the actual treatment is much different than what a regular chiro will do. You can search the web for a NUCCA or Upper Cervical chiro in your area or if there are none, at least look for a chiro that specializes in tmd. Its worth a try. It might be covered by health ins (not dental) if you have it. I Wish you well. I wish we were all well and didn't need this forum.

Jenny R. · 08-11-2006, 07:18 AM

Thanks so much Thelma, I'm going to try to find a NUCCA chiro in my area. It just seems weird how all this started occuring, and has eventually gotten worse over the years. Thanks again!!!