A new clue about bruxism. A neurology practice noted that of its patients who had restless legs syndrome (RLS), 60% also had bruxism (grinding teeth during sleep). Eighty-three percent had RLS and migraines, and 52% had RLS, migraines, and bruxism. Do you relate? The lead neurologist for this study speculated there is a gene that … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: restless legs and sleep bruxism
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Based on patients I’ve seen for jaw pain since 2013, I created this portrait of a typical patient. And of course, I’ve seen other patients who don’t fit these criteria. She’s female. It's been said that women are nine times more likely to suffer from jaw pain. She first experienced jaw pain in her teen … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: portrait of a typical patient
Learning how to de-stress yourself is huge. Everyone experiences stress. It’s just part of life. Stress becomes an issue when there’s too much of it, and your system has trouble rebounding resiliently to a calm, alert state. How is this relevant to TMJ issues? So much TMJ misery is related to chronic and acute stress. … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: de-stress quickly with these breathing techniques
For decades, the news has cautioned us about the ill effects of stress on our health, longevity, and happiness. But what is stress and how do you know when you are experiencing it? What does it have to do with jaw pain and dysfunction? Most of all, what can you do about it? Stress is … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: the effects of stress
You have nine jaw muscles: two pairs of large ones on the outside of your head (the masseters and temporalises), four small ones inside your mouth (two medial pterygoids and two lateral pterygoids), and one in the floor of your mouth (digastric). Any of them can get trigger points. What is a trigger point? It’s … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: releasing trigger points in your jaw muscles
Previously I shared two links to YouTube recordings of music to heal the throat chakra in this post, in case you missed it. Today, I want to share more about this. Keep in mind that the throat chakra includes the throat, jaw, chin, mouth, lips, cheeks, nose, and ears — basically from the clavicles to … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: music and meditation to heal the throat chakra
Recently I wrote about how acupuncture can help relieve jaw pain and the stress that often accompanies it. Today's post is about doing acupressure on yourself for TMJ issues. Keep in mind that if you see an acupuncturist, they will do an evaluation that may show other issues that they can address, with a focus … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: acupressure points for self-care
Often neck and shoulder tension accompanies jaw pain. I'm enjoying this seated yoga sequence for neck and shoulder tension, recommended in a FB conversation about what people with TMJ do for self-care. It's 8:29 in length. Yoga for Neck & Shoulder Tension I'm a big fan of yoga, having practiced it since 1982. It's definitely … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: an upper-body yoga sequence
There are so many things you can do to relieve the stress that usually accompanies TMJ pain and dysfunction. Today I want to write about nutrients that can make a difference. You can get these nutrients in the form of supplements, and sometimes that's easiest, but studies are finding that our bodies are not absorbing … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: foods and nutrients that can make a difference
A couple of weeks ago, I inquired of a Facebook group for women what they do for jaw pain. A couple of women mentioned specific essential oils they use for jaw pain. One said she puts lavender oil on her aching jaws. Another mentioned layering marjoram, lemongrass, and wintergreen essential oils. All of these oils … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: using essential oils for pain relief