Two months ago, at the suggestion of my massage therapist, I purchased a Trigger Point Therapy manual from http://www.triggerpointbook.com/.

In addition to Trigger Point Therapy, I also see a Chiropractor, Massage Therapist, and Acupuncturist on a regular basis, follow a strict nutritional diet for pain relief, take supplements (e.g. Omega-3, MSM, Glucosamine, Vitamin B Complex, 5-HTP, etc.) and Homeopathic remedies, do TMJ exercises prescribed by my physiotherapist, relaxation exercises (Yoga), Swim, use a TENS machine, Heat and Cold therapy, aromatherapy, and so on. This is my current TMJ pain management regimen (I have tried other more invasive therapies, which had only temporary, fleeting results) and I follow it religiously for, as I am sure you understand, the fight is oftentimes like single-handedly waging a war against an army so powerful, it completely overwhelms you. More often it is like surrendering to a force that has got a grip on you so tight there is no hope of breaking free - it is more intimate than battle; it is like being held prisoner inside your own home (pardon the cliché). Chronic pain, it seems, takes no prisoners, and, boy oh boy, it can really dampen the spirit.

Trigger Point Therapy, however, has offered me a glimpse of hope. I hope you will, too, consider this therapy. It is one that requires quite a lot of time and patience (I spend upwards of 3 hours each day working on releasing trigger points in my face, neck, shoulders, and upper back), the process itself is quite painful, and, to be sure, it is awkward and yucky, but once you release a trigger point, you are also releasing yourself from the pain that the trigger point refers to.

I cannot be sure that one day, as a direct result of Trigger Point Therapy, I will be pain-free, for there are so many other important aspects of TMD that affect the condition. However, I cannot deny that my condition has actually improved, even if only to a small degree, since starting Trigger Point Therapy.

For a brief overview, see: http://www.triggerpointbook.com/tmjdisor.h tm