TMJ is a collective term for a broad range of disorders displaying a variety of signs – radiating pain in the face, neck, or shoulders; limited movement or locking of the jaw; painful clicking or grating when opening or closing the mouth; and a significant change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. Other common symptoms include headaches, earaches, dizziness, hearing problems, and difficulty swallowing.
The Jaw Symptom Questionnaire consists of the following questions:
? Does it hurt when you open wide to yawn?
? Does it hurt when you chew or use the
? Does it hurt when you’re not chewing or
using the jaws?
? Is your pain worse upon waking?
? Do you have pain in front of the ear, or
? Do you have jaw muscle or cheek pain?
? Do you have pain in the temples?
? Do you have pain or soreness in the teeth?
? Do your jaws make noise so that it
bothers you or others?
? Do you find it difficult to open your mouth
? Does your jaw ever get stuck/lock as you
? Does your jaw ever lock open so that you
cannot close it?
? Is your bite uncomfortable?
In my experience if a patient answers more than three of the above questions they will benefit by education, an anti-inflammatory home care program including dietary changes, nutritional supplements, heat or ice applications, avoidance of mechanically stressful activities, and resting the jaw (practice the “lips apart and jaws relaxed” procedure).
In office treatment that I provide include: warm laser, soft-tissue therapy and specific muscle massage. I also train clients in corrective exercise therapy.
General Nutrition for TM Disorders
• EC Matrixx™ is a mechanism-specific formula designed to support healthy connective tissues by supporting the extracellular matrix, a key structural component of connective tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Features berberine and tetrahydro iso-alpha acids (THIAA), which have been shown in laboratory research to influence MMP-13, an enzyme involved in the maintenance of connective tissue structure.
THIAA has also been shown to beneficially influence multiple cellular signaling processes related to connective tissue health.
Supports biochemical processes that influence the health of the extracellular
• Chondro-Relief Intensive Care — 3-6 capsules daily with food. Joint & soft tissue support with MSM, Green Lipped Mussel, Hyaluronic Acid and ASU.
• Inflavonoid Intensive Care — 3-9 tablets daily with meals. For relief of minor pain.
• E-Complex 1:1 — 2-4 softgels daily. 1:1 ratio of alpha and gamma tocopheryls.