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Dr. Stoll,I have been DX with TMJ and the Dentist that I went to is making me a splint.He pretty much said that this is the only thing that will work for me short of having surgery.What is your opinion on splints? Please let me know for I have an appt.in a week to pick it up.I would rather not pay the 300.00 if it is not needed.Thank you so much
In Reply to: TMJ/Splint posted by Diana on March 18, 2001 at 20:41:52:
is this a type of splint that keeps your mouth open? I have
what I think is a mild case of tmj, compared to some stories
I've heard-my left jaw pops loudly, and I do get headaches,
from my jaw to my shoulders. I will tell you the best
relief I've ever had is becoming aware of chronic bracing,
even in my sleep, and working hard at relaxing my facial
muscles. I've improved a lot. Have you tried the tmj
archives?
I hope you get the rest of this message, the comment field
tends to cut me off..I also massage my face a lot, something
I picked up from rolfing sessions-it's amazing how many sore
face muscles one can have, and how massage and relaxing can
help the pain. It doesn't cost $
In Reply to: I'm not Dr. Stoll but, wanted to ask you... posted by lauri on March 19, 2001 at 01:58:09:
HI Lauri, Thanks for responding to my post.In regards to this splint , it is like a mouth guard and you wear it when you sleep.I'm not really that familiar with these ,just going by what the Dr. said I needed.Right now I am having a lot of trouble,I can only put 2 fingers in the mouth and then I have to just about force it open.The pressure in my ear is terrible,weird sensations in my head ,pain ,etc.I am at my wits end ...What is a Rolfing Session? I would love to get some ideas on what I can do about this.Thanks so much
In Reply to: I'm not Dr. Stoll but, wanted to ask you... posted by lauri on March 19, 2001 at 01:58:09:
I am taking ginger root capsules containing 250mg.ginger root extract(oil) and 250mg powder, 3-4 capsules daily and have been for 3 days. Am noticing some releif already and plan to continue. Can't afford a juicer right now and wonder if anyone has had any experience with capsules.
Thanks
In Reply to: TMJ/Splint posted by Diana on March 18, 2001 at 20:41:52:
nmi
In Reply to: TMJ/Splint posted by Diana on March 18, 2001 at 20:41:52:
The splint to try first is the NTI--I went thru 3 expensive splints and a flat plane splints only facilitates ones ability to clench and brace. Go to Drjimboyd.com and read his online book--it is in line with Doc Stolls outlook that most TMD is a chronic tension/bracing phenomena. The NTI will prevent the majority of the force of clenching while you work on(with SR etc) the real cause behind it---stress storage--
In Reply to: To Lauri posted by Diana on March 19, 2001 at 08:48:21:
It sounds terribly frustrating and painful- I hope you can
solve your trouble. There may be an archive about
Rolfing, I'm not sure my explanation will be accurate: it's
deep tissue massage, and it can be painful, but you
can ask the rolfer to ease up if it's too much. I prefer the
'jackhammer' approach. It seperates the fascia that is
'fused' to muscles (i think??) over time, that kind of
'pulls' your body over the years into chronically incorrect
positions. But, the massage part is also incredibly
relaxing, and it kind of teaches your muscles to
remember what relaxed means...I started focusing on
relaxing, and realized how often I clench my jaws, with
my teeth together-it was constantly! Rolfing is
expensive,and one really needs a full 10 sessions. To
be honest, I was not entirely happy with my rolfing
results (of course I wanted it to be 'the cure' for all my
ills) even tho I received some great benefits, and I think
it's because I have a 'bracing' problem that I can
actually work on myself, with relaxation techniques and
other, less expensive deep tissue massage (Dr. Stoll
talks about that, and a massage therapist can do
wonders for your face muscles, neck, head,
shoulders-it' can all be connected to jaw pain). It's kind
of cool, working hard at relaxing. But be vigilant at
relaxing, if you know what I mean-think about your jaw
at work, watching t.v., reading a book. A Tai Chi
instructer I have a video of says, in order to be in the
relaxed 'Wu Chi Position', open your jaw slightly, and
lightly touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your
mouth. This has been a god send for me, because of
how badly I clench my teeth. Also, my problem is not
near as bad as yours I think, but my left ear does pop
when I massage my left jaw-I push on it, towards the
right to relieve the pressure, then with the tips of my
fingers poke around to find 'sore' spots and gently rub.
I can take a headache away doing this sometimes.
Well, I'll quit blabbing, it's nice to discuss this with
someone who also has tmj. I think I developed this
AFTER I had braces for two years in 7th grade.
Lauri
In Reply to: Oh my-poor you I'm sorry. Rolfing info.. chime in anyone pls? posted by lauri on March 19, 2001 at 16:33:37:
Lauri, thanks for taking the time to explain to me about Rolfing.I live in the Austin , Texas area and will have to see if I can locate someone that does it.In the meantime I will practice some of your suggestions.Thanks again..Hugs:)
In Reply to: Re: TMJ/Splint posted by kaitlin on March 19, 2001 at 15:15:59:
Listen to what Kaitlin has said about the NTI. Also go to tmjd.com and register there to read that tmjd forum which has a wealth of information. Above all don't resort to any form of surgery for this problem without exploring all other possible conservative treatments first. There are not a great many tmjd experts in the world unfortunately!
In Reply to: TO LAURI posted by DIANA on March 19, 2001 at 17:20:42:
Diana, There are several rolfers in the Austin area, But listen to KMD. If you are having problems opening your mouth like you say, I found when I had that problem I had to get the jaw reset a couple of times before the pain would go away even as I was having rolfing done. I learned how to reset my own jaw and saved lots of dollars.The splint did help some, but bracing was the problem for me. I do not have the tmj problem any more. By the way if you can not find satisfaction with chiorpractors in Austin, There is a excelent one for this in Seguin,Tx name of Dr. Morrow I hope you find results in Austin. Good luck
In Reply to: TMJ/Splint posted by Diana on March 18, 2001 at 20:41:52:
Hi, Diana.
Since the only long term solution to TMJ is to stop bracing, the splint can only be considered a temporary stopgap.
See the archives about bracing and about TMJ.
THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
So far as I am concerned, there is NO place in TMJ treatment for surgery UNTIL it has progessed to the stage where the joint cartileges have been destroyed and THEN the SR and Rolfing, etc., will still be necessary to prevent recurrance or MORE damage.
Let us know what you learn and how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: TO LAURI posted by Davetx on March 19, 2001 at 22:32:11:
Thanks Dave for responding to my post.I was wondering how you set your own jaw,is it something I can do .I am kind of at my wits end!!This Dr, that I am going to is not much help either,I think this TMJ thing is his side business or something.Due to my HMO I am pretty limited on who I can see.I am willing to pay for care out of my own pocket I just want to be sure I know a few things before I start trying to find someone else .Thanks again...
In Reply to: To Davetx posted by Diana on March 20, 2001 at 14:59:05:
Diana, The way tmj was explained to me is that keeping your muscles tight in your jaw all the time, and as far as that goes tension all over pulls your jaw out of alignment and then you have pain and inflamation. What had to be done for me was get rid of constant muscle tension and realign the jaw so it could heal. Rolfing is a temporary fix to relax your muscles and then the jaw might set it self if the muscle tension leaves. Some form of S.R. is the long term fix. Mine was so bad I could not hear much out of one ear and could not open my mouth much. As far as setting it yourself, It is too painful to do it yourself at first. I could just tell when it was not right, and by opening my mouth wide open and placing my palm right in front of the ear (on the bump that comes up when you open your mouth) and push inward and down and at the same time close your mouth very quickly. I asked my Doc about it and he showed me how to do it, and it worked, not all the time but lots of time. Good luck and wish you well.
In Reply to: Re: TMJ/Splint posted by kaitlin on March 19, 2001 at 15:15:59:
Thanks, Kaitlin
It is good to know that I am finally getting some support out there.
Namaste`
Walt
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