I certainly don't understand tmj at all . I was doing pretty good for a few weeks and now it feels like my jaw is gonna fall off all in a 5 day period ?!? I was under a bit of stress this week and last week but geez not that much. Now my back. , neck are all tense etc and the muscles on either side of my jaw are in spasm mode. What am I supposed to do here?? Why does this happen?? My dizziness is back and my light sensativity is also back. I can't continue to live like this, how do all of you live like this?? I've been to two tmj specialists who told me from a structural. Standpoint I'm fine and my bite is fine.My jaw (lower) slants to the left a bit and they said my muscles are tight either from clenching or stress . I don't even feel stressed?? Has anyone ever cured or better controlled their tmj?? If my life has become this permanently I'm gonna have a serious conversation with myself.
TMJ worsens with stress because the muscles around the jaw and joint tend to tighten up or even spasm. Have you tried a muscle relaxant-an Rx from your Dr? That may be helpful in relieving some of the problem. Also if you have arthritis in the TMJ, an antiinflammatory such as Naproxen OTC twice a day may help. Heat applied to the jaw feels great, and so does massage of the muscles which you can do yourself. Here's a good massage technique- with clean hands, put your right thumb in your mouth on the left side between upper and lower jaw, right where your teeth come together. With your 4 fingers outside your mouth, massage your TMJ using pressure from both inside with your thumb and outside. There is a muscular band inside that you will feel that will feel tense and sore. Try as you massage to consciously let that muscle relax and loosen. Your dentist can also make a bite plate for you to wear at night that will prevent you from clenching or grinding your teeth, which makes the TMJ pain worse. Be aware all day long of jaw tension, and purposely let your lower jaw fall and the muscles relax. You can get this to be better. Research TMJ and you will find other tricks for dealing with it from lots pf people who have this condition.
Ladybud gave you some very sound advice which I agree wholeheartedly with.
If you're predisposed to TMJD, then you'll likely feel even the smallest amount of stress. One tends to hold their jaw and entire body tighter and when you sleep, you'll likely clench/grind more.
If you have nothing wrong structurally, then your Specialist could make you a night guard/splint to combat the clenching and grinding.
You asked if poor posture could be solely to blame for TMJ problems and the answer is yes. Forward head position or "head jutting" puts an enormous strain on your neck muscles. Your neck muscles then in turn shorten and tighten, pulling on the muscles in your jaw, face and head. It's all a vicious circle, but yes, poor posture plays a significant role in jaw disorders.
Thank you for all the info.My tmj started after weightlifting for a year and I hurt my back first then the neck and jaw pain followed. I hope I csn reverse the damage
