Tmj & Earache

I also get bad earaches etc , ( worse since an ent decided to clean my ears with a vacuum). It dont stop. Dont have any remedies but I know wat your goin through.

Sezy,
watch your posture. Are you sitting at a desk or computer or something similar all morning? Check your posture. Your shoulders should be kept back and down as much as possible. Also the same for your chin. Be careful about any slumping.

Check out the following website for good basic information and tmj exercises:

http://www.Nismat.Org /ptcor/tmj/index.Html

you might want to try physical therapy or massage therapy from a good therapist who is trained in tmj. Your microwave bag is good for moist heat. Ice can be helpful also. Are you wearing a bite splint? Again, you might seriously look at getting one from a good tmj bite splint maker.

Unfortunately, there are many pts and mts who are not very good when it comes to tmj. Don't give up if you don't like the first one or two. And a good bite splint should need to be adjusted several times at first and later only occasionally.

Try not to pop the jaw (sounds like the ear popping almost). This popping can cause permanent damage if done too much too long. Occasional popping when opening mouth is not that bad though if there is no pain.

Don't ignore the problem. Though tmj can get better, it also can become a nightmare. Take care of yourself.
Carol

My tmj has become a nightmare since the bad fittin splint which duh me took a week to figure out wat was causing the neck ache etc ( which id never had before) fixed that problem with the splint but the neck ache etc continues. Hate pain pills but................... I cant , not be able to function.

Well I have had some success....

Got a book from amazon "taking control of tmj: your total wellness program for recovering from temporomandibular joint pain"
robert o. Uppgaard;

have started addressing my posture at work, slouching in front of the tv and i'm trying to stop chewing pens. The book gives good jaw relaxing and other exercises which i've started doing too.

Since I started on all of the above and massaging around my ear and the jaw joint each day its just incredible how quickly the pain has subsided !

I've gone from debilitating earaches every morning before lunch that have lasted for hours to perhaps one every week and a half. And when I do get and earache massaging around my ear and jaw make it go away almost instantly... No pain killers... Its so amazing... For some who dont understand the pain they think i'm over exagerating... But it's flippin' marvellous !

Some days I do feel a bit groggy, but life is 300% better since I started this new regime ! I'm able to manage my pain through massage and the pain subsides without pain killers. I just cant express how much better life is without this constant on-going excutiating pain that I was getting each day.

Still waiting for appointment to see oral specialist but I think i'll be telling him whats best for me !!

That's great! You got a very good book!! I will be interested in what the oral specialist says so keep us updated.

Carol

Thought i'd give an update.... To give a positive update as sometimes we focus on the bad and forget to give the good news !

The oral consultant got me to see my dentist and get a bite guard sorted out. Due to the good old uk nhs systems it's taken a while to get it sorted... And I have to admit I was a little dubious at first. But i've been wearing the guard for over a month now and life is so much better. The pain is now just every now and again which is a huge improvement on this time last year when it was nearly everyday. I have also noticed that the migraines have disappeared and I rarely wake up in the morning sinuses aching and feeling like someone has hit me round the head with a brick !
Now if I forget to put the guard in at night then thats a different story... So its definately making a difference. This together with the massage, exercises and heat when needed has made soooo much difference (just got to work on the stress !)

this time last year I thought there was no hope in sight and the pain was just something I was gonna have to put up with, but - hopefully this is an encouragement for others - things can get better !

That's great!! It sounds like you are doing everything right! Keep working at reducing your stress level also. :~)

my tmj has been much calmer these last few months also and I basically do the same thing - bite splint at night, massage therapy, exercises and heat. I also watch my posture and what I eat (nothing hard or chewy). I reduced my stress by changing jobs at work in january (smart move).

Again, great!!!!!!
Carol