LOCKJAW (TMJ, TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT)

Written by Slawomir (“Swavak”) Gromadzki, MPH

In the U.S. alone about 10 million people regularly experiences some symptoms of TMJ. However, for some of them this condition produces no pain or loss of normal functions, leaving their condition untreated for many years.

TMJ, known as temporomandibular joint or simply lockjaw, involves problems with normal musculature and joint functions of the jaw. The temporomandibular joint is one of the key structures of the jaw as it enables the movement and chewing. It is made from hard and soft tissues that connect the lower jaw bone to the cranial bone in the skull.

SYMPTOMS

Common signs and symptoms of TMJ include pain around the jaw, neck, face, ears and shoulders; problems chewing normally and pain when eating; clicking or popping sounds in the jaw when chewing; headaches; trouble sleeping normally; dizziness; ringing in the ears; joint pains; and muscle spasms and swelling around the jaw and face.

CAUSES

In people with TMJ, dysfunctions of both the muscles and joints can contribute to the problem.

Unusual pressure placed on the jaw is the underlying reason that misalignments develop in the jaw’s muscles and joints, forming TMJ.

FACTORS THAT RAISE THE RISK OF  TMJ

hormonal effects, stress, nutrient deficiencies, loss of certain nutrients during menstruation, use of synthetic hormones, poor blood supply to the jaw, high levels of toxins, Grinding the teeth (bruxism) puts additional pressure on the, Nervous tension, anger and frustration, TMJ is frequently worsened when someone is under a lot stress, Hormone imbalances (estradiol and progesterone seem to be protective) (>), Birth control pills (women who take hormone replacement therapy drugs or the birth control pill also experience TMJ more often than those who don’t) (>), A poor diet/vitamin deficiencies (magnesium deficiency is common among people with TMJ), Arthritis, Frequent gum chewing.

REMEDIES

– Serrapeptase is regarded as the strongest natural pain killer & anti-inflammatory aid in back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpel tunnel, sinusitis, headaches, toothache, etc. More effective at improving lockjaw (spasms of jaw muscles) than ibuprofen & corticosteroids.

To treat TMJ symptoms, try targeted exercises, reduce stress, get enough rest, eat an anti-inflammatory diet, exercise and reduce pain naturally.

TMJ is much more common in women than men. In addition, TMJ is most common among 18- to 45-year-olds. The single most effected group is women of “reproductive age.”

If you think you could have TMJ, first visit a doctor to get a proper diagnosis, since not every type of jaw pain is caused by TMJ or underlying jaw dysfunctions. If your doctor finds that you have damage that has been mounting for years, he or she might want to stop TMJ progression by having you wear a splint, bite plate or plastic guard to reduce clenching and teeth grinding at night. In extreme cases, your doctor might also recommend an injection to lower inflammation and pain-reducing medications.

Surgery for TMJ should be considered a last-resort option, since surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants can cause severe pain and permanent jaw damage, plus changes to your natural bite and teeth alignment. Fortunately, most people with TMJ can experience significant improvements and pain reduction by making lifestyle changes and practicing gentle TMJ exercises on their own.

TARGETED EXERCISES

While you generally want to take pressure off of your jaw, practicing gentle jaw stretches and muscle-relaxing exercises can help increase jaw movement and range of motion. (>) You can work with your doctor or a physical therapist to learn appropriate TMJ exercises that you can practice at home for several minutes one or two times per day.

Chiropractic adjustments are another good option, since poor posture and problems with muscles in the cervical spine getting tight can contribute to jaw problems. Chiropractors use their hands to get rid of restrictions in the craniosacral system, the fluid and membranes surrounding the spine and brain.

One study found done by the Tokyo Medical and Dental University found that jaw exercises helped reduce TMJ symptoms even better than jaw splints and did so more quickly. Half of the study’s participants received a verbal explanation of their pathological conditions regarding jaw function and were taught simple self-care practices, such as good posture, soft foods in the diet, keeping their teeth apart and exercising the jaw. Participants in the splint group wore a maxillary stabilization appliance while sleeping at night, while those in the exercise group performed manual jaw-opening exercises by themselves and didn’t wear a splint.

The exercise protocol consisted of a warm-up, repeated small mouth-opening and closing movements, and placing fingertips on the edge of the mandibular anterior teeth to slowly pull the mandible down and relieve tension. Participants performed four sets of exercises per day, and all participants in both groups also took a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. After eight weeks, both groups experienced significant reductions in pain, but only those performing jaw exercises had improvements in mouth-opening range, plus they began recovery of jaw functions earlier compared with the group wearing splints. (>)

REDUCE STRESS AND GET ENOUGH REST

Stress and TMJ are linked in several ways, so learning techniques for relaxing and reducing stress is important to get symptoms under control. Relaxation practices like exercising, stretching, meditating/praying, deep breathing or using guided imagery can be helpful for getting better sleep and dealing with the pain that accompanies TMJ dysfunction. According to the TMJ Association, some studies have found that a combination of practices like yoga, massage therapy and meditation aid in relaxation in TMJ patients. (>)

Massage therapy  has also been found to help lower chronic TMJ pain, joint pain in general and stress in several studies. (>) Getting enough sleep is important as well for controlling inflammation and dealing with stress, so if you can’t sleep, figuring out how is the first step. Try sleeping on your side using a pillow support between your shoulder and neck if you’re experiencing pain. You might also benefit from wearing a guard to stop grinding or another insert to help relax your lips and keep your teeth apart during the night.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET

Inflammation around the joints in the jaw leads to worsened pain and TMJ symptoms. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, especially one with lots of easy-to-chew cooked foods if you’re experiencing a lot of pain, will help reduce swelling and joint deterioration. Eating regularly every few hours is also beneficial for stabilizing blood sugar levels and helping prevent teeth clenching out of anxiousness.

Avoid foods that can worsen joint inflammation, add stress to the body and cause blood sugar swings, including added sugars, refined grain products, alcohol and too much caffeine. Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods for healing TMJ from the inside out include:

Soft foods that are easy to chew: Soups, stews, smoothies and cooked/steamed vegetables are great ways to get more nutrients without needing to eat hard foods.

Omega-3s fight inflammation naturally and can help improve circulation. Get them from wild-caught fish, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel.

Collagen protein: It helps rebuild tissue, including cartilage.

Foods high in electrolytes: Blended, steamed or pureed vegetables and fruits are the best sources of electrolytes like magnesium, calcium and potassium, which can help prevent muscle spasms and other symptoms of deficiencies that are tied to TMJ. Leafy greens, cooked broccoli and other cruciferous veggies, berries and mashed sweet potatoes are all good options.

Eggs, raw dairy and protein shakes: If you have difficulty chewing protein foods, try these options as an easy way to get enough protein.

Anti-inflammatory herbs and teas: Green tea, turmeric, raw garlic and fresh herbs/spices are great ways to add flavour to your diet along with anti-inflammatory benefits.

EXERCISE

Besides stretching and strengthening your jaw, regular exercise using your whole body is a great natural stress reliever. In addition, lowering inflammation, balancing blood sugar levels and helping you sleep better are some of the benefits of exercise. Aim for at least 30–60 minutes daily most of the week.

REDUCE PAIN NATURALLY

Several practices can help you ease tension around the jaw and lower inflammation. You can apply an ice pack or warm compress against your jaw one to two times a day to relax the muscles, lower inflammation and improve circulation.

Some people find more relief when using ice since this decreases nerve transmission in pain fibres, helps raise the pain threshold, over-rides some pain sensations and helps release endorphins that naturally block some pain.

Supplements including glucosamine, a B vitamin complex, magnesium, vitamin C, calcium and adaptogen herbs to lower cortisol (like ashwagandha, maca, kava and holy basil) are all useful for preventing symptoms related to stress. Avoiding difficult-to-chew foods, gum, chewing candies, yawning and other painful movements of the jaw also takes some pressure off while you heal.

Also consider using essential oils to lower anxiety and pain, such as peppermint oil, frankincense oil and lavender oil (mix one drop of each oil with 1/4 teaspoon of coconut oil and rub on to the area of pain) to lower stress, swelling and tension.

SOURCES

– https://draxe.com/health/tmj-symptoms/

 

Any information or product suggested on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Consult your primary healthcare physician before using any supplements or making any changes to your regime.