TMJ Archives

Dr. Stoll, can this be possible? Pain again!

I recently posted about some TMJ progress, but difficulty taking the focus off my jaw. I wear a splint at night, but can't tolerate it during the day. Well, today after two days pain free, I accidentally touched my teeth together in the bite position but not with force and I am completely back in full spasm again. I have been in tears all day. Is it possible to have such a little touch cause so much pain? Will the damage to the muscle ever go away? My Dr. is not concerned that he is missing something. He has done panoramic xray, tomographic xrays and some bite adjustments, but he says I'm much too bite sensitive and doesn't want to file my teeth away. He just says to take the focus off my mouth. I can't cope with this pain anymore. Advil is my only relief. Please help!
Rona

Follow Ups:

• Re: Dr. Stoll, can this be possible? Pain again! (TMJ archive?) Walt Stoll 09:43:05 1/20/00 (0)

In Reply to: Dr. Stoll, can this be possible? Pain again! posted by Rona on January 18, 2000 at 16:17:38:

Rona,

How long have you been doing your SR at least twice a day and have you certified that it is producing the "relaxation response" when you do it?

This is just a "charley horse" of the masseter muscle and YES, you can have this happen (less and less) until you have resolved the bracing for 6-12 months. In the meantime, you could use the eraser trick described on the home page article on this 'site to try to avoid this happening again--daytime only.

You could get a deep, total-body, therapeutic massage to relieve this episode--should it be continuing still; OR a Certified Rolfer could get this stopped as well.

Let me know about answers to the above questions since I want to be sure that you ARE doing what will resolve this in a timely manner.

Walt