Expert: Susan Tannenbam - 11/16/2007

Question
QUESTION: SUSAN
I HAVE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH TMJ, I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SINCE JUNE 07, IT IS ALL ON THE LEFT SIDE, MOSTLY LOWER JAW,
SOME TIMES THE UPPER JAW.
APART FROM MUSCLE RELAXANTS, NUROFEN, AND ANTI INFLAMMATORY DRUGS, WHAT CAN I DO.
VINCENT IN ENGLAND

ANSWER: Vincent,
It's all about relaxing those tight muscles caused by clenching.  A nightguard that is hard and fits over the bottom or upper teeth IS A MUST.  It helps tremendously, to evenly distribute the pressure, and to protect the teeth.I notice a diference in my pain level very soon after wearing mine.
Also, NEVER chew gum or bagels...worst thing for tmj!
I also got relief from acupuncture - had to find a good one but once I did, it was great.
Ultrasound, administered by my dentist (also by a physical therapist) works WONDERS for the pain.
There is a device (small) called the alpha-stim100.  They might have a website.  It works great on the pain, but it is expensive.
Aerobic exercise -whatever you like to do, every day, increases endorphines and helps with pain.
Meditation, relaxation tapes, and just pain CALMING oneself down and relaxing is an antidote to any kind of pain especially the TMJ pain.  Remember, pain FEEDS on anxiety, so the more you get upset and anxious about your condition, the worse it can get.  So really just try to relax about it and you'll find it will absolutely go away.  I had it bad and mine did!  
Lastly, DO NOT overuse OTC pain relievers like Nurofen.  It has been shown in a study several years ago that this can cause MORE pain!  I was taking Advil on a daily basis, and the pain just got worse and worse until I stopped it.
Hope this helps
Let me know if I ca be of any more help.
Susan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: THE ONE THING I FORGOT TO ASK, IS HOW COME THE PAIN IS NOT THERE WHEN I AM ASLEEP

Answer
I'm not sure how to answer this question, because when you are truly asleep, you would be unaware of everything.  I guess if the pain were very bad, it could wake you up.
I found that when I forced myself to stop worrying and feeling like the situation was hopeless, the pain started to dramatically lessen.  TMJ has a lot to do with stress.  So maybe when you are asleep, you are in a relaxed state, so the pain goes away.  You can try this "experiment":  Sit very quietly and slowly relax every part of your body (there are tapes that can guide you through this), and relax the lower jaw to the point where it is just sort of hanging down, apart from the upper jaw.  Then notice if the pain lessens up, or even goes away completely, even if just for a half minute.  This proves that by relaxing, pain does indeed go away.  Try tensing up again, and see how the pain comes back or at least gets worse!  You can truly control physical sensations by changing your mindset...
Hope this helps.
Susan