TMJ ideas or techniques please...

[RobIV]

Seems my wife has come down with the dreaded TMJ, but she's not willing to get braces.  Can't really say that I blame her.  Of course she is hoping that when she is rid of the problem employee (hope that it is not me!!) that her stress and irritation and aggravation and bruxing will diminish.  I've read conflicting info about the mouth appliances.  Seems like Craniosacral or MFR should provide some relief.  Checking aromatherapy, as well.  Thanks for any and all info! mick

 

[Jack S]

You can check for trigger points in the associated muscles.  Some light massage followed by some craniosacral work should help too.  Good luck, hopefully she will find some relief soon.

 

[SINGLE]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

Here's a link to a simple illustration with tp's noted, and the oral technique for self cure...the workbook states that it has techniques for treating all 5 muscles of the jaw.

http://www.triggerpointbook.com/examples.htm

Gi

 

[Backwater Charlie]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

Hi. Yeah, I know. This is a really old post from the past but, oh, well...I'm a temp in an office while going to school and one of my co-workers (too whom I give daily chair massage) has been diagnosed with TMJ. I did a search on TMJ here and have printed out what has been said. I will take it home tonight and start reading through it.Anyway, her dentist is suggesting surgery! I told her she might want to consider massage as an alternative. She has a Rx for 4 sessions of PT.Just thought I'd mention it. If anyone has any input, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[Random-Cookie]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

Gaspen, Here's a link to a thread about my own experience with TMJ... I was having trouble adjusting to my dental splint.

I was diagnosed with TMJ in the fall of 2003. (Though it is not as common in people with a square jaw as I have.  Has your client had a lot of dental work done lately? The dentists said they could have exacerbated the problem for me... because it went from popping once a month to daily only after I started going to them for dental work.)

Tempro Mandibular Joint Dysfunction
http://www.bodyworkonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=20996

That might be something your co-worker would consider before surgery.

The dental splint I have is often billed to and paid by their health insurance I was told by the dental office. (Apparently the TMJ allows them to bill it so.) Otherwise it was $700.  (Though my dentist was far from cheap. LOL)

Tell the co-worker to consider warm moist towels for relaxing the muscles. You might even try one of those microwaveable herbal packs on his/her shoulders before that co-worker gets their chair massage.  Will they schedule massage on the table?  Does the client have a foward head posture?  

I think there's a genetic tendency to have TMJ in my family, as my Mom had a very bad case of it, and I know for sure at least two of my sisters and 2 of my nieces have it... as well as myself.

BTW, I know my Mom and sister got great relief after having a chiropractor adjustment... and I know my dentist did suggest that after a chiropractor adjustment I might need to have my splint checked again to make sure it was still meeting properly (it was).

Just something for your co-worker to consider! I know... surgery sounds so drastic... and I think it's like knees and hips is only good for so many years... (meaning it'd have to be done more than once for some people).

 

[just_ken_here]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

I have had good luck with clients doing TPT, and showing them how to do it, too. I do the inside the mouth version on me, but I dont feel comfy doing it for clients, even with gloves (people bite when in pain!) so I explain it to them, & have them do it so I can see theyre doin it right. I had one poor client who bit through 2 mouth guards her dr gave her to put in while sleeping. Poor thing finally got some relief using tpt.

 

[Andrew K]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

Thanks both of you. A lot to consider. I'll ask her the follow-up questions. If one is able to do good for this condition, this could be a keeper.Again...thanks.

 

[MummyToBe-5th.April.2010]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

She has a Rx for 4 sessions of PT.

Gaspen, may I ask who wrote her script for the PT.  If it was the dentist or another doc?

Would love to know... I am interested in persuing a few dentists in my area for referrals.

Also, when I get a chance, I'll post to you how I do some of my TMJ work.  Just don't have time right this sec.

 

[The Bear]

My chiropractor once mentioned to me that he has had success treating TMJ.  Chiropractic may be worth looking into before going through the pain / expense / general inconvenience of extreme dental work.JD

 

[Seafoam Green]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

She had gone for 'dental work' about a week prior to the TMJ appearance and I believe her dentist recommended the surgery as he is not optomistic of the PT. (I mentally rolled my eyes when I heard that think 'Whatever happened to keeping a patient/client positive?'.I've since asked her about the splint but she's not a candidate for it because she's like 1 cm off the range of effecacy.

 

[Dancer101]

I am a neuromuscular therapist that has been working with TMJ for several years and it is my experience that trying to treat TMJ by just looking at the jaw is normally a losing battle.  As we all know the body is one functional unit and a problem in one area can effect another seemingly unrelated part of the body.  I have had many clients TMJ relieved by releasing muscular imbalances in the torso or pelvis.  I would recommend finding a certified neuromuscular therapist in your area to evaluate your posture and biomechanics.  Good Luck!

 

[Odd Boy]

Has the dentist done x-rays?Sounds like the dental work exacerbated her problem just like mine. Not only did I have the traditional "bite-wing" x-rays... but also stood up for this other x-ray that does like a 180 around your head...Does she grind or clench her teeth? (Bruxism at night is a big problem with those who suffer from TMJ.)  Personally I clench in the day time when I feel stressed... *sigh*If she does massage to relax her neck and jaw muscles, chiropractic to improve alignment... and then does PT to try and strengthen the muscles to Hold that proper positioning... I think she'll have a much better chance. I think that it's worth trying these other measures before she goes to the trouble and expense of "joint replacement."  How old is your client BTW?Are you still doing chair massage with this client? I personally feel that a longer session (30-45) of just head, shoulder and neck work is beneficial for clients with this problem.  Besides I think it's easier to work the Temporalis, Masseter and Buccinator that way.  Some MT put on a finger cot and do the intra-oral work... personally I am not comfortable doing that... not even on family! LOL But I do have finger cots if they want to do it on themselves.  (This is where the dentist shoots the lidocaine when they need to fill your molars. LOL) So, I work the medial and lateral pyterigoids as much as possible from the outside... which is usually a bit uncomfortable in and of itself.

 

[Dreamily]

TMJ ideas or techniques please...

Hello - I have personally found hot stone facials and ear coning to be especially helpful in my own battle with TMJ pain. I have also found that the occassional chiropractic adjustment has been useful.The upper and lower jaw reflexes, according to a Taiwanese style of reflexology, are located on the thumb and hallux joints, bilat. A firm but gentle gliding pressure with the pad of the thumb makes for wonderful self-help and in my personal case relieves the headaches and extreme tension within minutes of applying a short 40-60 second session on my thumbs or great toes. I hope this is helpful in your quest to assist your wife in her pain.