one more PT thing you may want to try...

Place your thumb (from the opposite side of your body) into your mouth, placed on your back bottom teeth. VERY GENTLY and slowly push down on the furthest back teeth. This shoudl be a very small movement. You can do this a little each day and should find relief. Do not over do it, as it will be very soar.

I'm a teeth clencher at night but if I'm anxious or stressed I will do it during the day as well. I suffered with painful jaw, headaches and neck pain a lot. I finally have what is called an NTI, it's a guard but just a tiny little thing that is placed on your front upper or lower teeth. It's just enough to keep your teeth separated and relieve the pressure. It was around $300 but my insurance covered half. For me it was well worth it. It has made a huge difference in my life. Look it up online if you are interested in knowing more about it.

You wear down the enamel on your teeth and they become super sensitive. I have trouble eating hot/cold things because of it :(

My daughter's TMJ came on suddenly and her jaw basically locked. The next day she was to go to Europe so the dentist built her teeth up. She had been wearing braces for 7 yrs. Wore them until she was a senior in high school. The dentist was from our church and we thought he was an up and up person and knew what he was doing. Came to light he was not.:( Learned later that he had messed up others' mouths. One girl had to have her gums reattached. Consulted with another dentist & he sent Meg to a specialist. Found out that the seven years of braces had pulled Meg's jaw out.:eek: :eek: Whatever the specialist did worked but now she needs braces again. She wants to wait until she is out of pharmacy school, done with a 2 yr. residency, and has her own job with insurance.

I have been battling TMJ for two years. The night guard has helped me the most. Physical therapy with massage helped for as long as I was going, but there was no cure attached. You might try some massage therapy by someone experienced with TMJ. If you can save up, a mouth guard would be the most helpful, just be sure to go to a dentist experienced in TMJ. I am happy to answer any questions.

I have had TMJ problems for many years. I would not recommend surgery or any type of mouth guard that the dentist says will realign your bite (I spent $700 and it did nothing but cause more pain). I go to a TMJ clinic at the University of Buffalo Orofacial Pain Center and I got a mouth guard through there. Also, the specialist there told me to get in the habit of positioning my mouth in a relaxed position with my tongue on the roof of my mouth as if I am saying the letter "L". I also did very gentle stretching exercises where I would open my mouth a little bit then close it and work up over weeks/months until I could open it pretty wide (do this very gradually or it will give you pain and a headache). I also put some heat on mine sometimes when it really hurt. I get a migraine type headache, sore jaw, neck and shoulder muscles. I can't sleep now without my mouthguard. I hope this helps.

I must disagree with the poster who says they haven't done TMJ surgery for years. I had some done 2 years ago and know several people who have had successful surgery done within the last couple of years. It is not the same surgery that used to be done and is less invasive and less painful. I had disk repositioning done and it has helped considerably. I still have some problems and still wear my bite plate at night because I clench my jaw.

Prior to the surgery, the migraines were debilitating and I could barely open my mouth. Now, I am so much better. Rare migraines, I can talk just fine and it is the rare occassion (considerable stress usually) that makes me grab the moist heat pack. I have changed alot of my habits and that has also helped - no pillow under my head for sleeping, just a towel under my neck, sleeping on my back with a pillow under my knees, pressure point massage of my jaw and neck that I've learned to do myself, physical therapy to keep me in order when I'm stressed. I fortunately have good insurance to help with the PT. My bite plate was covered by my insurance, but my surgeon told me I could also use the ones that Walgreens carriesthat you boil and form to your mouth.

Check out this site for more info on surgery. Not everyone needs surgery, but when all else fails it is still a viable option.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tmj/treatment.html

Just one comment about the previous post. On the package of those boil to fit night guards that you buy at the drug store, it says "Not for use by people with TMJ disorders." I tried one before I got my custom night guard and it caused pain like you would not believe. Do not use one of these unless your TMJ specialist says it is OK.

There is actually a great TMJ specialist in Atlanta you should go to. Let me know if you're interested and Ill try and find their number.

I'm sure some surgeons still treat TMJ this way, but I think the TMJ centers, such as the one I went to in Boston (and many other very good centers) would not advise it. I am glad to hear they are less invasive, but my sister almost died on the operating table years ago by a nut case Dr. who claimed to be an expert with TMJ. There are many trying to treat TMJ now, but I recommend going to a TMJ Center where they teach. I would give a huge "NO" to TMJ surgery. Surgery is treating the symptom, and not the cause. An appropriate night guard (made by a TMJ specialist) and PT should be the best approach.

It does take time to come out of the worse of it, but it is possible. It's something you'll have the rest of your life, but will be able to maintain it...keep it at bay.

For those who had surgery, I am glad it went well for you and wish you all the best for a continued recovery.

Eash person must seek their own counsel and do what is best for their particular situation.

Absolutely!