TMJ Cure
Being diagnosed with TMJ is never fun. Not only is it highly inconvenient, it is also highly painful and limiting. One of the first things people ask when being told they have TMJ syndrome is “Is there a cure?” That is a valid question, and one that has no yes or no answer. Lets see why:
TMJ surgery is one option for an invasive cure for a bad TM joint. However, be sure you do your research as there are a lot of mixed reviews as to the effectiveness of this procedure. The surgery itself is highly painful and invasive. Many end up experiencing worsening symptoms, or no relief at all. The sinus cavities are very near to the joint, and there is a high percentage that your TMJ symptoms could be alleviated, but you could end up suffering from migraines for the rest of your life. Not a good solution. TMJ surgery is usually always a last resort, and for those who have gone through with it, when asked if they would do it again, they usually say “No!”
Since diagnosing TMJ is a relatively new field for medicine, your doctor may not have given you the proper diagnosis. Consult an expert in TMJ for a correct and detailed diagnosis. Scottsdale Arizona has one of the best TMJ treatment centers in the country. Unfortunately my TMJ was the worst case they had ever dealt with at the time and they could offer me no real relief. You want your treatment to fit the cause of your TMJ pain so get a good diagnosis with a second and third opinion tacked on.
If surgery isn’t a good solution, what can you do? Think non invasive. While there is no real cure to TMJ there are plenty of ways you can manage the pain. Remember, these won’t cure your disorder, but they will help you prevent the worst of the pain from flaring up.
Diet- Eat foods that are soft, and avoid anything chewy or hard. Think about how hard your jaw has to work to eat certain foods, and avoid ones that end up overworking the muscles. Often with a simple adjustment in your diet you can greatly relieve your jaw pain.
Exercise- Get a list of approved exercises from your doctor or dentist. Do these exactly according to how you were instructed. Follow the guidelines closely as they are there for your protection. Strengthening the muscles around the jaw will help keep them in shape since they are compensating for the problem in the joint.
Massage- Gently massage your temples and jaw muscles. Also loosen up the neck and shoulder muscles that can become tight due to the pain that radiates out from the TM joint. Do this regularly and very gently and you can keep much of the pain at bay.
Manage Your Stress Levels- Often stress causes the TMJ condition to flare up or worsen. Avoid stress as much as you can. Learn to relax your jaw muscles as much as possible, even when in a stressful situation.
So really there is no cure for TMJ, but by following some basic guidelines and principles you can manage the pain.
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