AboutSusan Tannenbam Expertise I AM NOT A DENTIST!!!!!!!! PLEASE DON'T ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE ANSWERED BY A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL..but I have had TMJ so
I can answer questions on how I finally got my TMJ under control. I have several things I have done to treat myself, plus suggestions on what professionals to seek out, exercises, the best nightguard devices, etc..
Expert: Susan Tannenbam Date: 7/5/2008 Subject: alpha-stim 100
Question Hello Susan! I have TMJ since March. I had some symptons before but did not know it's TMJ. It became very painful after an eye sugery. I had an expensive lower split made from a dentist which did not help. I still wore it at night and wondered if there is any harm wearing it.I tried accupunture and it helped sometimes. I also try to change my posture and everything else because my life is very painful now.I also had neck and back pain for a long time and did not know why. I just found out recently that I have a c5-c6 degenerative disc on my neck. Most likely that's the source of my shoulder and neck pain. Orthpedia recommended a fusion surgery. I wonder if you have heard anything between the relationship of TMJ and neck degenerative disc. I got a prescription for the alph-stim 100. Unfortunately, after I came back from the doctor's office, I founnd out it was spelled as alph-stim-ten. Anyway, I wonder how useful it is and how to use it. Thanks ahead for your answers.
Answer Linda,
A nightguard (Splint) is necessary for anyone who has TMJ. I wear mine every night. Tight muscles around the jaw due from clenching/grinding can refer pain into other areas such as the teeth, gums,neck, back, head. I do not know anything aout discs as it relates to TMJ (Note that I am not a dentist nor a doctor).
I use my alpha-stim100 by placing the timer on the symbol which makes the device beep every ten seconds. I place a probe on either side of my face (first appy the cotton stickers and wet them with a sterile saline solution included in the box), around the jaw area, wherever it hurts, and move it to different areas all around that area, for a total of about two minutes. THe instructions says that you should not overdo it, and that two minutes is about right, or whenever the pain is alleviated (check the instructions: they are very clear and easy to understand). I got great relief from this device. I don't know why yours says alph-stim-ten. Mine is the alpha stim 100.
