Of the hundreds of joints in the human body, there are only two that most medical doctors refuse to treat and most insurance companies refuse to cover.  Any guesses? If you said jaw joints, you are correct. However, these joints are technically referred to as your TMJ's.

What is TMJ?

TMJ is an acronym for your TemporoMandibular Joints, the small joints in front of each ear, and you use them over a thousand times a day to talk, chew, swallow, smile, kiss and make facial expressions. Yet, you typically never think about this part of your body, unless you are one of the estimated 35 million people who experience pain or problems commonly referred to as TMJ Disorders or TMD.

How Do You Know If You Have a TMJ Disorder?

If you have any, or a combination, of the symptoms below, the answer could be yes:

*          Jaw, facial, neck pain or headaches

*          Clicking, grinding, catching or locking of the jaw

*          Difficulty chewing, biting, or yawning

*          Ear pain, stuffiness, or ringing in the ears, with no infection present

*          Tooth grinding or clenching, unexplained tooth pain in a healthy tooth

How do you treat a TMJ Disorder?

According to a report in the New England Journal of Medicine 85 to 90 percent of people with a TMJ disorder can be treated with "noninvasive, nonsurgical, and reversible interventions". In fact, the National Institute of Health started a campaign to tell the public that "Less is often best in treating TMJ Disorders". Unfortunately, every week patients have unnecessary surgery, teeth pulled, expensive crowns, or braces and tragically, their problem does not go away because the true causes of their problems were not eliminated. Sufferers are wise to educate themselves and explore all their options before making any permanent changes to their bite, undergoing surgery, or spending exorbitant sums of money.

YOUR SYMPTOMS WON'T CHANGE UNLESS YOU DO!

Since many hurtful habits are things we do all the time, but never think about, I came up with the acronym PoTS-B-TLCTM. Write it on sticky notes and place them where they will be seen every hour as reminders to replace any hurtful habits with healthy ones. Here is a brief summary of what PoTS-B-TLC means, and how it relates to TMJ.

Po=Posture

Are you a slouch-a-holic? Is gravity getting you down? Trying to treat your head, neck and jaw without addressing your posture is like giving you a car without any tires. If your posture is out of balance or alignment or you park your body for long periods in hurtful positions, it can adversely impact your body including your jaw, neck and head.  

T=Tongue

Is your tongue out of shape? If your tongue works and rests correctly, it can help you separate your teeth and relax your jaw. Your tongue should rest along the roof of your mouth like when you make a "cluck" sound. If your tongue wants to push against your front teeth at rest, in speech or swallowing, you likely need to tone and retrain it. 

S=Swallowing

Did you know you swallow between 500 and 2,000 times a day?  If you are swallowing incorrectly you may be contracting muscles that shouldn't have to be on the job and thrusting your tongue every time you swallow. 

B=Breathing

Breathing should be through your nose and diaphragm and is normally 12-16 breaths per minute. Many breathe too fast at more than 20 to 30 breaths per minute or more. Mouth breathing leads to chest breathing, poor tongue position and can even change the development of the face. 

T=Teeth Apart

Your teeth should only touch momentarily when you swallow in the back, otherwise they should never touch. Common postures and medications can cause clenching.

L=Lips Together

 "Our Lips are Sealed" is not only a song, but a healthy way to help your tongue stay gently suctioned on the roof of your mouth which helps your jaw relax. Many people have a short upper lip and have difficulty keeping their lips together. Their lips are generally parted and you can see their teeth. Simple stretches can often make it easier to keep their your lips closed.

C=Calm Your Muscles and Your Mind

Tight and tender muscles are one of the biggest contributors to headaches, neck pain and jaw disorders. Muscles can cause headaches, face and ear pain, and even dizziness, ringing in the ear, and tooth pain. It is critical you understand what irritates and relaxes your muscles, and what healthy exercises and habits you can adopt to ease physical and emotional stress on your jaw joints.

TMJ disorders are extremely common, infinitely frustrating, and sometimes even debilitating. But inexpensive, non-invasive, self-help treatment is available AND effective.

For more information and up to date news, see www.tmjhealingplan.com