Other Bruxism (teeth clenching/grinding), tmj injuries caused from stress

[Healing Survivor]

Mina-

Wow, I could have written that post! I have the exact same thing--my husband calls me "ducky" when I have it in. ;) Anyway, just interesting how similar that is to my experience.

 

[cragger65]

Yes, following my accident I was diagnosed with TMJ troubles and it was suggested I use the guard. Considering I had a broken neck, arm, pelvis, brain and spinal chord injuries, it seemed quite a trite matter at the time ;P

My jaw does still ache when I am stressed, but I don't have it nearly as bad as you've described. What annoys now as I write this is that no one even mentioned stress-related causes for the TMJ issue, though it was abundantly obvious it was a big issue for me. Just the insurance companies trying to sweep a real problem under the carpet... again. Grrrr....

 

[canucklady]

I was just going to ask the same questions as Bec....but reading these posts answered my questions...one other thing to deal with having PTSD...:( My teeth are terrible and doesn't help having a dentist phobia, hate having anything in my mouth...but have to do something am only 38 and back molars are all ground down

 

[This Ends Now]

I use massage for TMJ and it really helps me. I learned how to work on myself from a book called "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook" by Clair Davis. Mostly I work on my sternocleidomastoid, masseter, and scalenes (basically the muscles around my Jaw joint and the ones in my neck... especially the rope like ones that go from your jaw to your collar bone around the throat). I cannot begin to tell you how much pain that has relieved for me and would highly recommend the book to anybody with TMJ. Since I started using this technique on myself my jaw has not locked up and I have been able to eat just fine (although I try to avoid any prolonged strain on the area). I also rarely need medicine for headaches now since I can treat most of them on my own. Of course this only helps when I am awake.

At night I also sometimes sleep with my head slightly off the bed so the jaw stays slightly open. It takes some getting used to but it can help and its free.