Does anyone know any good exercises for relieving TMJ pain?

Question

I've been having TMJ pain for about 3-4 weeks along with headaches & neck pain. Does anyone know any good exercises for relieving the pain and tension?? Also, does anyone know what kind of medical doctors treat TMJ? My insurance won't cover treatment from a dentist, only a medical doctor. Thanks! Cheryl

Answer 1

bummer!--my wife had a prescription for the pain. it was only a problem occasionally. she saw an oral surgeon and an orthodontists. they did some braces, then the surgery to correct her jaw. i didn't know your head could swell that much. she looked like she went 5 rounds with mike tyson. anyways, she doesn't get the neck pain or the headaches anymore, and she doesn't grind her teeth when she sleeps anymore. i think those things are a whole chain of events if you know what i mean.; onw leads to the other.

Answer 2

Hi Cheryl,

I have had 3 TMJ surgeries. You need to see an oral surgeon. The things that help relieve some pain are: avoid eating hard, chewy or chrunchy things. Avoid opening your mouth too wide when eating burgers, etc... No gum chewing. Try and be conscience of clenching down during the day. A splint will help with that at night, my oral surgeon made mine but they do have things like it at the pharmacy. Muscle relaxers also help. I have had cortisone shots in the past but they really did not help. Also when you visit the dentist, let them know you have TMJ problems and that they need to take more frequent breaks so you can close and rest your jaw for a little while. I find that I am in a lot of pain after the dentist because I had to leave my mouth open for so long.
Now, as far as insurance goes...many companies do not cover TMJ related illness. I was lucky a few years ago when I had my last surgery that my company covered it but my new one doesn't even cover the Dr's visit. I hope this helps you. Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I am happy to help.
Cindy

Answer 3

I also have TMJ and wake up almost regularly with bad headaches in the back of my head and neck. My dentist actually diagnosed this because nothing was helping with my severe headaches that were always/only in the back/lower head. She then had a night splint made for my top teeth. I see that you can also purchase these over the counter. I don't know how effective they are but this is the only think that helps me. It works wonderful, can be a pain, but works geat!

Answer 4

7 years ago I've been involved in a car wreck and even since suffered with severe on and off facial and jaw pain. I've tried almost everything western medicine had to offer and had visited countless of specialist, had done ct scans, and therapies but to no avail. The doctors I have been to had persisted that there wasn't anything wrong with me and that almost drove me crazy as I was going through hell from this condition. According to all my symptoms I was diagnosed by a holistic doctor as having TMJ and he had recommended this book to me. After following the recommendation in the book for several weeks, it had changed my life. I got immediate relief after following the unique set of exercises in the book and after 2 weeks the jaw and face pain had completely gone. I only wish I would have ordered this program years ago. It would have saved me a lot of pain and anguish.