Understanding TMJ Pain!
Understanding temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can sometimes be challenging. Most people who have been feeling jaw pain symptoms are experiencing a certain level of discomfort, a painful sensation that something is wrong. What's more, the pain seems to worsen constantly, as if some unseen force is causing unmatched discomfort in those afflicted by TMJ disorder (TMD). There are many people in pain due to TMJ disorder, and a lot of them don't know what TMD is and how it could affect their lives. So let's look at some of the most common questions and issues people ask about TMJ pain.
You can also book a consultation with our in-house specialists for sleep apnea and jaw surgery in Illinois for more information on your particular set of TMJ problems.
What is TMD?
The first question that comes to mind is, what is TMD? TMJ or temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw to the skull, but TMD or TMJ syndrome is a temporomandibular joint disorder. When this joint isn't working correctly, there can be a lot of jaw pain symptoms like soreness and swelling in these joints.
TMD Causes
One way to understand TMJ pain is through understanding what causes it. One of the possible causes is overuse or injury to the jaw, caused by an accident or simple wear and tear. Other possible causes include arthritis, muscle tension, overwork, and even TMD itself. Since this condition is often caused by something external, options for TMJ pain treatment in Illinois are pretty limited, and non-surgical procedures are only used in severe cases.
TMD Symptoms
There are a lot of jaw pain symptoms that may occur when a person is suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders. The usual symptoms include pain while chewing, facial ache, headaches, sinus pain, toothaches, and facial tenderness. Some of these symptoms overlap for various disorders, and thus a person could be experiencing signs of both TMD and a different condition altogether.
TMD Diagnosis
One of the best ways to know if you suffer from TMD is to understand what causes the disorder. For many people, TMJ pain is caused by a muscular imbalance in the jaw, meaning that not only does the jaw joint become misaligned, but the other joints in the vicinity also begin to suffer from the imbalance. To understand TMD-related pain, you need to be familiar with the anatomy of the human body. Once you know the body's anatomy, you can better understand the jaw pain symptoms caused by muscle imbalance, such as headaches, ear pain, eye strain, and even TMJ pain.
If you are experiencing jaw pain symptoms and you suspect that you may have TMD, you will need to seek a diagnosis from our reputed TMJ specialist in Illinois. There are many ways to get a diagnosis, but most people don't even realize that they have a problem until their doctor tells them about it. A majority also ignores the doctor's advice and continues to experience discomfort in their daily life. Such ignorance is dangerous because there is no cure for conditions like TMD.
However, we offer some of the most advanced and customized TMJ pain treatment options in Illinois. You can get in touch with us to know more.
Side Effects of TMD Painkillers
If you go to your doctor and he gives you a prescription for painkillers, you will most likely find that their regular use makes you experience some side effects from the painkillers. These side effects can include dizziness, insomnia, depression, and even weight gain. If you want an understanding of TMD symptoms, you need to be aware that these are just symptoms and not the actual disease or illness. While you can still take steps to reduce the symptoms, you can't permanently cure conditions like TMD and sleep apnea with jaw surgery in Illinois.
Exercises for TMJ Pain Relief
There are many exercises for TMJ pain relief that can help with reducing the discomfort of this disorder. The pain in your face and the constant locked feeling in your mouth are a complex combination to live with. A visit to your doctor may not solve the problem, but there are TMJ pain treatment options we can provide in Illinois to relieve the pain. One of the treatments is exercise, specific exercises for your jaw joint.
One of the common problems with TMJ disorder is when it comes to headaches. These headaches can lead to a severe condition known as migraines. Migraines are excruciating and can occur at any time. One of the possible reasons you may be suffering from headaches is that your TMJ disorder has affected your ability to prevent or relieve headaches. Your jaw has an enormous impact on how your headaches go, and if it is constantly in a tense state, it could lead to a full-fledged migraine attack.
Exercises can be used as a TMJ pain treatment for relief as they can help improve your ability to maintain a good jaw posture. When you are working out, your posture can become affected due to muscle tension. It leads to extra stress on the muscles and joints, and this causes pain. One way to solve this problem is to stand upright and properly while your jaw is still in a relaxed state. You should also avoid biting your nails as this will only aggravate the situation further.
Resisted Opening
The resisted opening is one of the main exercises for TMJ pain relief that can help reduce some of the pain associated with this disorder. This exercise requires two people to be in a seated position. Both people then face each other and engage in a side-to-side jaw movement. This exercise works by strengthening the muscles that are located on either side of the jaw.
Chewing Movements
Other exercises for TMJ pain relief include those that involve chewing on different items to improve motor functions. For example, if a person has problems chewing, they can perform exercises where they slowly bite down on another object repeatedly.
Alternatively, if a person has problems opening or closing their mouth completely, they can close their mouthparts and then open it partially again on repeat. These exercises are great because they will strengthen the muscles and tendons located on the side of your face and improve the motor function of the temporomandibular joints.
Head Tilt Workout
The final exercise for TMJ pain relief involves doing a head tilt workout. To perform this exercise, you need to place one finger on the roof of your mouth and tilt your head back. Next, place the other hand on the top of your head and slowly slide it down to the base of your neck. Repeat this motion over and over while working your way down to your neck and jaw.
Conclusion
One last thing you should know about TMD is that the jaw pain symptoms are not limited only to the face. You may be suffering from facial pain already, especially when you open or close your mouth or move your jaw. You can also suffer from neck pain, jaw pain, or ear pain due to TMD.
Still, when you get tired of feeling your jaw lock up in agony, you can turn to over-the-counter medicines or visit our center for sleep apnea and jaw surgery in Illinois. However, before you rule out any other TMJ pain treatment option, you can try using the exercises mentioned above to feel some relief from pain in the affected area.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: (630) 305-7914
Email: frontdesk@suburbantmjcenter.com
Address: 1309 Macom Drive, Suite 107
Naperville, IL 60564
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