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Saturday, May 24, 2008 ang asks

Q: tmj pain

I have suffered with tmj pain for years bought on by night time gringing and 40 yrs of nail biting- so my specialist says..My jaw clicks pops etc when i chew- lots of pain - wear a splint at night. Pain goes from my left soulder to neck to back of left side of head to left side of my jaw and face up to and above and behind eye...I was prescribed Endep for pain but it make me too sleepy ...Tried anti- inflams (bad stomach) THIS IS MAKING MY LIFE A MISERY...what else can i try????

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5/24/08 10:43am

 

There is no known cure for TMJ but several treatments have been touted to help TMJ sufferers. It is important to research these treatments as there is no such thing as a board certified TMJ specialist. Some may be quite expensive. 

 

Relaxation exercises such as deep slow breathing, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation and yoga can be very helpful in dealing with the  chronic pain of TMJ 

 

Acupuncture can be helpful for some people as well. Done once a week it can take 6-8 treatments to tell if it will be effective. 

 

Stretching exercises and self massage to relieve the muscular tension have been reported to be helpful as well.  

 

Micro-light Cold Laser therapy is FDA approved to treat TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome and other pain disorders. It’s a ‘cold laser’ treatment that is believed to increase serotonin (the ‘happy chemical’) levels in the jaw. 

 

A supplement called serenitol that contains melatonin and herbs has reportedly been helpful for some. 

 

You can get a broad overview of TMJ treatments by clicking at the URL below. 

 

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/tmj/treatment-38816-5.html

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