A note to researchers--in order to better assist this customer, please
know that the following answer was rejected for mentioning TMJ at all.
*********
Hello wishwash-ga!
Thank you for your specific directions in this question. It sure made
finding the details you need that much easier. I have compiled some
information that you should find helpful, and per your instructions,
I?ve skipped over the rudimentary background information with which
you seem to be quite familiar. I?ve also asked my husband (who is a
physician) to look over the information and give an ?unofficial?
opinion. In no way does this answer substitute for an in-person
evaluation of your pain and condition, but I hope to give you a good
starting point. Here we go.
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CAN IT BE FROM CHEWING
In addition to what you?ve mentioned (like teeth grinding and
malocclusion of the jaw), there are other causes of TMJ.
?Injury can also cause TMJ. This can be from an accident where the
face is inured, or from a punch to the jaw. Even chewing or biting on
something hard, like a pen can cause TMJ, as can continuous gum
chewing.?
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/gettingtosleep/a/TMJ.htm
The medical community agrees that significant injury is a legitimate
cause of TMJ dysfunction, but is reluctant to identify definitively
any other causes. Some recent studies dispute some classically held
ideas, such as malocclusion and chewing as causes of problems, but
current medical research is not conclusive on the many proposed causes
of TMJ/TMD.
?We know that severe injury to the jaw or temporomandibular joint can
cause TMD. A heavy blow, for example, can fracture the bones of the
joint or damage the disc, disrupting the smooth motion of the jaw and
causing pain or locking. Arthritis in the jaw joint may also result
from injury. Other causes of TMD are less clear. Some suggest, for
example, that a bad bite (malocclusion) can trigger TMD, but recent
research disputes that view. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces and
the use of headgear, has also been blamed for some forms of TMD, but
studies now show that this is unlikely.?
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/TMDTMJ/TMD.htm
It does seem likely that muscle cramp and spasm in the TMJ area
contributes to the pain associated with TMD.
?TMJ disorders often result when the chewing muscles and the
temporo-mandibular joint do not work together correctly. When this
occurs, the muscles often cramp. This spasm can then become part of a
cycle that results in tissue damage, pain and muscle tenderness. . . .
Improperly aligned teeth can sometimes place the chewing muscles under
stress and cause them to go into spasm, thus setting off the harmful
cycle described above.?
http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/Handouts/temporomandibular/temporomandibular.html
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CONSERVATIVE TREATMENTS OF TMJ: THE FIRST STEPS
Dr. Steven Pohlhaus, a dentist familiar with TMJ and its treatment,
lists some initial things that you can do to help in getting some
initial relief.
* Jaw Rest: avoid gum chewing, hard foods, biting your nails, and
?non-functional jaw habits? (like pencil chewing). Try to stick to
soft foods, avoiding chewy and crunchy foods.
* Medications: over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen
(Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) can help initially. Muscle
relaxants are sometimes prescribed for a short period of time.
* Moist heat: this helps improve blood flow, aiding healing and
relaxation of the muscles.
* Exercises: Dr. Pohlhaus has a list of exercises designed to help
correct the jaw problems leading to the pain (see
http://www.stevedds.com/jaw_exercises.htm).
* Physical therapy: this can be recommended by a health professional who sees you.
He also mentions surgery as an eventual solution, but this will not be
helpful for rapid relief.
http://www.stevedds.com/tmd.htm
Here is a link to one therapist?s notes about a patient who presented
with TMJ dysfunction. She received massage therapy and Reiki as part
of her initial treatment. This along with a dental device fitted by a
neuromuscular dentist helped her obtain significant relief. You can
read more details here:
http://healing.about.com/cs/uc_directory/a/uc_sadler03.htm
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OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATIVE THERAPY (OMT)
OMT is a series of techniques used by Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s)
as part of a complete treatment program. They are sometimes described
as ?manual medicine? since the therapies are performed by the
practitioner?s hands. Here is a page from the website of the American
Osteopathic Association (AOA) that explains OMT and its uses.
http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=ost_omt
?Some cases of TMJ syndrome respond very well to osteopathic
manipulative treatment; so, if your physician is a D.O., you might ask
if this manual medicine technique might be effective in your case.?
http://www.studentdoctor.net/blogs/omtguru/2006/02/jaw-pain-and-osteopathic-manipulative.html
Craniosacral therapy is a particular form of OMT with a wide range of
uses. TMJ dysfunction is one of them.
?A specialized form of OMT, called Cranial-Sacral manipulation, can be
beneficial for patients with headaches, TMJ syndrome, tinnitus, sinus
problems, deviated septum, and other facial problems.?
http://www.balancedhealing.com/Medical_Services/Alternative.asp
The AOA has a ?Find a D.O.? tool on its website designed to find
osteopathic practitioners in your area. You can search generally or by
specialty. To find a D.O. that routinely uses OMT, I would suggest
searching initially in the following specialties:
* Family/General Practice
* Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
* Physical/Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
* Internal Medicine
* Pain Management
http://www.osteopathic.org/directory.cfm
You can also try searching the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO)
database for a D.O. Members of this organization tend to be more
dedicated to the unique qualities of Osteopathy, and also are more
frequent practitioners of OMT.
http://www.academyofosteopathy.org/backoffice/physsearch2.cfm
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I hope that you find this information useful. If you have further
concerns or questions be sure to discuss them with a qualified health
professional that you trust. If you have need of any further
clarification, please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga
Search terms:
TMJ healing
TMJ OMT
chewing cause TMJ
Dear wishwash-ga,
As for the comment posted below, I want to clarify the answer I've
given you. I took your question to mean that you did not want any
basic information on TMJ/TMD, but rather you were looking for novel
solutions to your current jaw problems (whatever the cause or
diagnosis). Clearly through your own research you are quite familiar
with the basics. Whatever label your jaw pain ends up receiving, the
solutions that I've posted are likely to be beneficial, especially
with regards to "realignment."
I hope this information sheds additional light on the answer I've
provided and my thoughts behind it. Again, if you have need of further
clarification, please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga |
