The sphenoid bone is one of the most fascinating bones in the body. If you were looking at someone and could see their bones, the sphenoid would be behind their eyes and in front of their ears, with the outermost parts (the greater wings) accessible at the temples, and the lowermost parts (the pterygoid processes) … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: the role of the sphenoid bone
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I'm two-thirds of the way through writing daily posts about living with, treating, and resolving TMJ disorder issues. I've posted on who tends to get it, linked to videos of self-care techniques, written about reducing night grinding and daytime clenching, explored the connection between the jaw and the pelvis (and the jaw and the endocrine … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: what would you like to learn more about?
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
What do various healing professions do to treat TMJ issues? I'm going to try to answer that, to help you be better health-care consumers and know what to expect in terms of results. By the way, I am a massage therapist who specializes in TMJ work, including intra-oral (inside the mouth) work, in which I've … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: what various professions do to help
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 new follower of my Facebook business page is working on reducing her daytime clenching. Along with any kind of helpful stress-reducing practice (4-7-8 breathing, yoga, meditation, epsom salt baths, etc.), you can retrain your jaw and mouth muscles to be more relaxed. Actually, you can retrain your entire nervous system to be more relaxed … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: reducing daytime clenching
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
The jaw-pelvis connection is real! When I ask my TMD (temporomandibular disorder) clients if they also have pelvic alignment issues, a lot of them say yes. If your pelvis is out of alignment, quite often, so is your jaw. Here's how that relationship works: The back of your pelvis includes the base of your spine, … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: the jaw-pelvis connection
Did you know that about 12 percent of Americans are experiencing TMJ disorders at any one time? This is from TMJ.org. Also, did you know that women are 9 times more likely than men to experience severe pain and restricted jaw movement? The majority of women who have TMJ disorders are in their childbearing years … Continue reading Treating TMJ issues: who experiences it?