TMJ Archives

TMJ

Dear Dr. Stoll:

I have been reading your TMJ archives with interest. I would like to get your opinion or hear from anyone who has a similar situation.

About six weeks ago, I started having some ear pain in my left ear. At first it felt clogged, then it progressed to actual pain. I called my doctor who prescribed antibiotics, even though I had no other symptoms of an infection. I started doing some research into other causes of earaches, and that is how I found out about TMJ. I realized that I had some other symptoms, such as clicking in my jaw when I open and close my mouth (also on the left side). I had known this for a few months, but never thought much of it until now.

My earache progressed into occasional headaches around the back of my head and at the temples, some neck and shoulder pain and numbness in my jaw. When this occurred I visited a chiropractor. At the first visit I received a total body massage, and my symptoms cleared up for two days. Regular visits have cleared up the headaches, neck, shoulder and jaw pain, but the ear problem and jaw clicking remain.

I know you look at patterns, so this is what I have noticed. I have been paying strict attention to whether or not my teeth touch during the day, and they do not, as far as I can tell. I also asked my husband, and he said he has not noticed me "grinding" my teeth during the night. I do think that I might have a problem with bracing though, because I've noticed that especially during stressful times I will often wake up clenching my fists, sometimes I even have imprints from my fingernails digging into my palms. I also remember that when I was in college 10 years ago, I used to bite the insides of my cheeks as night, again especially during stressful times like final exams. I have NOT had this problem since college, but I thought that it does fit into the pattern of bracing at night.

Thinking back, I realized that about 2 months ago I did receive a slight blow (more like a bump really) to my jaw, that left it sore to the touch for a day or two. Although I don't remember exactly, I think this happened a few weeks before I first noticed the clicking in my jaw.

I have just started working with some of the exercises in The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook. But I am wondering if my problems could be related to TMJ even though I have not noticed any specific problems with my teeth touching or grinding? Can bracing affect the jaw even if the teeth don't touch? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Denise

Re: TMJ (Archive.)