Temporomandibular joint disorder is a condition where the joint responsible for operating the jaw sustains damage. As a result, it hurts to chew and yawn, and some patients experience chronic headaches and ear pain. You need to see a healthcare professional immediately to deal with TMJ pain and its multiple systems of ear congestion, subjective loss of hearing, dizziness, sensitivity to sound, itchy ear, ear pain, eye pain, blurred vision, excessive tears and neck pain.  The condition cannot necessarily be cured, but it can be reversed with proper action.

man with headache while working at laptopProfessional Treatments

Many people develop TMJ symptoms due to clenching or grinding their teeth at night. Therefore, it may be prudent for some people to wear a mouthguard at night to protect their molars from such actions and to protect the lower jaw from banging into the skull in the TM Joints. Your TMJ doctor will need to look at your teeth to determine whether you grind at night. Your dental office can create a custom mouthguard that fits perfectly in your mouth.

You may also need to go through physical therapy. In many cases, TMJ pain is a result of excessive stress. People feel anxiety through work or familial obligations, and they manifest that stress by grinding their teeth. You can apply a heating pad on your own, but you may also want to book massage appointments to help you unwind.  Pharmaceuticals such as muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory and pain reduction pills are also helpful in the beginning of treatment.

Your doctor may also recommend pain-relieving injections to help you deal with the pain. In extreme cases, the only way to deal with TMJ dysfunctions is to undergo surgery. These invasive methods are typically reserved as a last resort, and you should go through everything else first before bringing up surgery to your doctor.

At-Home Remedies

As you pursue professional treatments for your TMJ pain, you should also make lifestyle changes at home to relieve your symptoms. For the time being, you should stick with softer foods. Yogurt, applesauce and mashed potatoes are good options because they will not aggravate your jaw as much. During this time, you want to avoid sticky foods, such as gum, because they can overwork your jaw and create more problems.

Stress management is critical for all people. You can incorporate various stress management techniques at home, such as practicing yoga and meditation regularly with the help of Marianne Wells Yoga Instructor. It is natural to feel stress at various points in life. However, you need to be aware of when your stress levels are out of control. It may be a good idea to take on fewer responsibilities at work so that you can focus more on your personal health.

Another way to relieve stress is to practice exercises including those for the jaws. There are various stretches and movements you can do with your face to help relax your jaw muscles. For additional advice, you want to talk to your doctor to see if he or she would recommend anything. Your doctor may also be able to pinpoint the exact area where the TMJ pain is localized so that you can better target that area.

Holistic Approaches

When you decide to incorporate relaxation exercises into your routine, you should consider adding essential oils into the mix. While they may not work for everyone, some people insist they help remedy chronic pain. Some of the best oils to use in this endeavor include peppermint, frankincense and lavender oil.  In particular, lavender oil has been shown to help relax jaw muscles. All you have to do is add a single drop to a quarter teaspoon of coconut oil and massage it into the affected area. However, this should be used as a supplement to other techniques, and you should always consult with your TMJ doctor before altering your oral healthcare regimen.  Women react to essential oils at a higher rate of success than do men.

Managing TMJ Pain With Ease in Detroit

Millions of Americans suffer from TMJ pain at one point or another. With prompt action, you can limit your symptoms and completely cure yourself of the condition. For residents of Warren, the Michigan Head & Neck Institute is here to lend a helping hand and help you overcome your condition. Contact us at (586) 573-0438 if you notice the symptoms so that we can help you comprehensively.