Hi Folks,

You will not see many success stories about TMJ. By the grace of GOD i am able to post one on this forum and i hope some of you'll will benefit from it. Its payback time since a great forum like this had answered many of my questions earlier.

CASE:
I am 25 yrs old, had TMJ in around Feb 2009. It started with clicking and progressed towards popping. I thought its normal and din't care much about it.In April 2009 i visited dentist and thats when i heard for the first time in my life something called TMJ.
I use to actually keep experimenting and checking it again and again by making the clicks which ultimately landed me with a displaced disc with reduction (my mouth couldn't open fully). This happened around May 2009. Search began and i started browsing through forums to get more information about TMJ.

You can search for a TMJ specialist (these guys are much better then a local dentist who can only suggest a mouth gaurd for the TMJ)
Also look for the % of TMJ treatment done by the docter. I chose David Curtis in Dallas who treats 100% TMJ since past 25 yrs.
He proposed me with a treatment plan as follows
TREATMENT:
1) Unlocking the locked Jaw
2) Splints
3) Prolotherapy
and so on ... AS NEEDED..

Fortunately i was still able to open my mouth by manipulating my lower jaw in certain angle. Dr. said in that case i don't need Step 1 and proceeded with Step 2
Its been 40 days since i started wearing the splint. Believe me i can open my jaw wide. I wear 2 splints lower splint (24 hrs a day - i take it off sometimes). Upper Splint (while sleeping at night).The splint keeps my jaws in such a place that the disc is not displaced and is recaptured.
Step 3 would be needed in case i my disc still dislocates..this was happening when i started wearing the splint initially..but now i am able to take it off for a longer period (2 - 4 hrs a day) without losing by disc..So hopefully Step 3 is not needed..(this is because our body has its own built in capabilities to HEAL)

THINGS I FOLLOWED:
I religiously followed the following things since April or May 2009 until today.
1) Cold and Moist Heat:
I apply ice cubes for 5 mins on both the sides of my TMJ covering muscle around the area. I then wait for 5 mins and apply a towel soaked in HOT water on the same area.
As per my experience, ice helps relieve muscle tension and hot pack relaxes them.
I do this 2 times, once a day. One can do more as per the case.

2)Soft Foods:
I gave up Tortillas, burgers, gum , carrots, uncooked vegetables...for a while.

3)Meditation:
As per my religious obligation i get up at 4:30 am to meditate. If one doesn't want to go via religious side you can take it as an exercise and meditate on the name of GOD or just emptiness. TRY TO ELIMINATE everything out of your mind and just think about nothing and focus on your breathing. It will slow down and your heart beat drops relaxing all your muscles.

4)Change in attitude:
Initially i was out with a mindset that i will get the TMJ cured. However now that i know the fact that TMJ cannot be cured 100% one needs to understand that fact and learn how to live with it. It is a part of your body an irreversible damage which cannot be COMPLETELY UNDONE. However ones goal should be to come to a point that he/she can do daily tasks of life without much discomfort.

FACTORS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED MY TMJ:
1) Great Clencher: My mom used to tell me that i clench my teeth a lot at night, so pretty sure thats one of the major factors. (Splints have i think stopped that)

2) Sleeping on Stomach: I tried sleeping straight but when i wake up i would end up sleeping on stomach. (Now i put two pillows on my side to avoid this)

3) STRESS: Try noticing how much stress you give when you are stressed or angry to your JAW. Its horrible specially for those who already have TMJ symptoms. (Try calming yourself with keeping the fact in mind that with stress you are making your TMJ worse)

CONCLUSION:
I guess moving from displaced disc to normal movement in a span of 2 months is a great success for me. I am sure many would agree with me on this. I have developed year symptoms. Cracking sound when i swallow or open jaw wide. However as i explained TMJ cannot be cured 100% it can be managed.

Apologies for the long post but my intention was to share my experience.
Questions are welcome.

Regards,
IrfanK