Expert: Susan Tannenbam - 5/5/2004

Question
Hi Susan and thank you for volunteering your time. I am having serious pain from the back of my neck to my ears, all the muscles there are so tight it feels like my ears are being pulled back and I can't get them forward. Is this related to TMJ? I am not sure so that is why I am asking. I do know that I have TMJ and have a retainer nightguard that I wear but seemingly have lost it and so I am probably clenching, I have been under tremendous stress recently so probably more clenching then normal at night. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so much!

Melinda

Answer
My TMJ is under control now, but at it's worst, I had extreme tightness in the neck.  I took a muscle relaxant for awhile, off and on, and I did the following exercise: slowly put your head to the right side, as if trying to touch it to your right shoulder.  Hold for about 20 seconds, and do it on the other side, then repeat again as much as possible.  This helps stretch the tightness out of the muscles there.  I do know that pain from TMJ and clenching,  can be referred from the neck into the chewing muscles, and even into the teeth, creating what feels like a horrible toothache.  I am not a doctor, just someone who has TMJ, and who tries to help other TMJ sufferers by relating to them the different things I did to relieve the condition.  If you do not have a nightguard, and you are clenching YOU MUST GET YOURSELF ANOTHER ONE!!  It helped  me tremendously.  Mine fits over the bottom teeth.  If you are in NY, I can recommend a great dentist who treats TMJ and makes excellent nightguards.  I also suggest you try to apply wet heat to the tight area in your neck, as much as possible during the day, or just whenever you possibly can.  A massage therapist might be able to loosen  you up there also.
Good luck and let me know if you need  further help.  Oh- one more thing- if I were you, I'd go to a doctor just to make sure your symptoms are not something other than TMJ.