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I have the dilema of being a Brass Instrument Teacher and am suffering a great deal with TMJ Dysfunction. I get too much pain in my jaw to demonstrate and had the physio mention the option of an arthroscopy. I've tried Brufen and Vioxx and now the Dr. has me on Voltaren.
The prognosis doesn't look good does it? What are my options now? One disc has swung out to the outer side of the jaw and the other is on the inside. How is it that I didn't notice the damage occuring earlier. Depressing scenario!!!!
Any words of wisdom?
In Reply to: TMJ posted by Jo on November 22, 2002 at 19:50:42:
I would be very wary of the arthroscopy. One surgury usually leads to another and I have not heard of anyone having any success with them. Loads of horror stories out there. The archieves have info on tmj, perhaps a chiro. can help???? resting the area, look at your diet/posture, there is a book out there called Taking Control of TMJ that might help, if your are a clencher/bruxer maybe chk. out a device called the NTI. I have heard of other musicians in your dilemia, occupational health risk I guess. Best wishes.
In Reply to: TMJ posted by Jo on November 22, 2002 at 19:50:42:
Hi Jo,
If I were you, I would look into what's causing the problem.
I don't know everything threre is to know about TMJ, but often tight muscles are a big part of it. So one thing I would do is see about getting some relief from massage.
Chiropractic may also help. If the spine is misaligned, especially at the pelvis, it can set up a pattern of disharmonious alignment that goes right up the back, neck, and into the bones of the head. So it may sound odd, but sometimes working on the pelvis can help with the structural alignment of the jaw.
The third thing I would do if I were you would be to study everything available on this website about TMJ and bracing. I would immediately start doing the practice of Skilled Relaxation.
I work with a number of clients on jaw tightness. Regular focused massage sessions over a period of time has been really helpful for many of them. When muscles are regularly reminded to relax through massage, they get the message and even if they tighten up again, they remember and relax very quickly.
Also, it was about a month ago, after doing Skilled Relaxation for 5 months, that the muscles in my jaw relaxed. I tell you this to encourage you to do the practice.
You can probably do a lot to help your condition by yourself, but it will take dedication and determination since it sounds like your condition is pretty advanced. If I were you, I would avoid drugs and surgery like the plague and consider them only as a last resort -- if at all.
Best wishes,
Happygal (Certified Massage Therapist)
In Reply to: TMJ posted by Jo on November 22, 2002 at 19:50:42:
Hi, Jo.
Chronic problems like TMJ are never resolved by something you TAKE but by something you DO!
Listen to Happygal. The real crime is that you have deteriorated so far without anyone giving you the information you need to actually deal with the cause: bracing.
Walt
Walt
In Reply to: Re: TMJ posted by Happygal on November 23, 2002 at 05:47:38:
I have had a Spinal Fusion and wonder if this has played a part with the TMJ.
Jo
In Reply to: Re: TMJ posted by Jo on December 20, 2002 at 10:15:42:
Hi, Jo.
Both are caused by severe generalized bracing.
Walt
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