I really like this post. lets do all we can to get all the little tricks that we use here.Ive already had 3 surgeries--so hopefully that doesnt disqualify me lol

i use heat and ice, i also do range of motion exercises, take supplements--when i can remember, massage the joints--and i cant remember all that i do but if i remember or think of something ill come back


oh one is to keep busy with a hobby--and i have a companion animal

Thanks for the reply, I'm really hoping we can get the whole community behind this cause. I think it'll be great for all of us!

yes it would be great if the whole community got in on this. Sometimes though people just dont answer posts the way wed like them to:P so lets just keep our fingers crossed and hope people come and post

Could you please explain what type of exercises you do?

sure---i do range of motion primarily--mostly i use a therabite to assure that im not deviating either to the right or to the left. if you dont have a threabite(they are expencive--mine was given tome) you can simply stand in front of the mirror and use your fingers.

open your mouth as wide as you can, put finger on bottom teeth and help yourself open further. hold for 5 seconds and repeat 5 times.

slide to the side as far as you can put your hand on your jaw bone and push---hold for 5 seconds and repeat 5 times. the above exercises should be done 5 times a day.

also you should do some kind of exercise that will strengthen your core like yoga or pilates--avoid anytning that jostles the head

i will go find the thread i made on jaw exercises and see if i cant make it a sticky so that you all can see it and referr to it from time to time.

what works best for me is putting heat packs on my problem areas for 30 minutes at a time. I used to just hold them there and than I eventually graduated to wrapping a bandage around my face to keep them in place. Since that never worked and really hindered me from going about my day, I decided to look online for some solutions.

I came across this product called the Face Caddy, it's specifically designed for tmj patients and comes with 2 packs that it holds in place for you.

I ordered it 2 days ago and i'll tell you all how it works out when I get it!

ph gee yes heat. Hey i have another site that has something similiar. i dont know what its called. but it velcros at the top of your head so you dont have to hold it. its only about 10 bucks but im too lazy to order it. i think that with this one you can use both heat and ice in it.

i have been using a tdp mineral lamp to try to regenerate the joint...So far it snaps way louder than ever and is coming in more symmetrical but i still have pinched nerves...For joint lubrication i recommend the obvious glucosimine/chondroitin and for the more esoteric hyaluronic acid and biocell collagen..Vitamin C is essential for the extra scar tissue build up...For inflammation MSM and fish oil...For neuropathic pain nothing really works too effective although maybe magnesium and calcium do a little. I take low dose ativan and neurontin every so often mostly everday at this point for that kind of pain. I hear a high quality b-complex is effective for neuropathic pain but i have tried that and it doesn't work for me although it still goes into my regimen daily. I'm still trying to find something that is more effective than ice and heat that is beneficial for the body but haven't found much for the chronic pain im in besides the drugs mentioned so far which i don't want to take much longer. I'm gonna give a higher dose of 5-htp or tryptophan a chance...Maybe st. john's warts as well for the serotonin pain response to this condition.

I like to use peppermint oil, either on my forehead and temple area or thru my whole head. Don't get it near your eyes as it burns! The oil has a cooling effect but it feels like it's heating up. Also I've used a medicated chinese oil I got at the acupuncturist. I find ice helps on my head and back of neck and heat to my jaw!

Suzane

oh and i like to use lavender oil. i love the stuff.