Most exercises are focused on relaxing the muscles of your neck, your shoulders, and your jaw. Tension in any of these can worsen TMJ pain. If your dentist identifies “trigger points” for your TMJ pain (trigger points are areas of muscle that are prone to causing you pain), she may recommend that you see a massage therapist for help in loosening these muscles. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Pencil biting, pipe smoking and other repetitive movements and positions (such as with playing certain instruments like the violin or viola) are also thought to be associated with TMJ. Opt for foods such as oatmeal, eggs, mashed potatoes, soups, and other options that are gentle on your jaw in order to decrease the pain.
If at all possible, break up your workday by scheduling in a walk or other activity every couple of hours. This will give your neck and shoulder muscles a chance to relax, and may help to ease the discomfort in your TMJ. In addition, pay attention to sleeping positions. Sleeping on your side or stomach may put pressure on your jaw, exacerbating TMJ pain. Try to sleep on your back instead, and don’t elevate your head too much.
You can apply this warm, moist towel four to five times in a day. This procedure can help relieve discomfort and increase jaw flexibility.
Always wrap cold packs in a towel before applying them to your skin. Putting ice or a cold pack directly on your skin can cause frostbite.
You can do this gentle massage for one to two minutes initially, and then three to five minutes on each side of your jaw. Always be gentle to avoid further problems and pain.
In addition to aerobic exercise, try to incorporate two to three days of strength training, which will build muscle and improve bone density.
Naproxen (275-500 mg twice a day). Naproxen works by inhibiting the release of inflammatory substances, COX-1 and COX-2. This is the medication of choice for treating joint inflammation, because it has been proven to be effective in joint diseases. Ibuprofen (200-800 mg every six hours). Ibuprofen provides fast-acting pain and inflammation relief when taken in liquid gel form. Acetaminophen (500-1000 mg every four to six hours). This does not help with inflammation, but can serve to combat pain.
A short-term course of long acting benzodiazepines, such as Valium, can be used to treat severe acute TMJ symptoms.
For patients who also experience anxiety and/or depression, treating the condition with methods such as medication or relaxation/stress management training can also be helpful for TMJ pain. Tricyclic antidepressants are generally considered after lifestyle changes, NSAIDs and muscle relaxers have shown to not be effective. Once the effective dose of the tricyclic has been determined, it is generally prescribed for up to four months and then tapered down to a lower dose.
The shape of the splints also helps to keep your teeth in their appropriate positions and to correct bad bites. You can wear the occlusal splints throughout the day, except when you are eating. You can use night guards that are similar to splints during the night if you have a habit of grinding your teeth. Your dentist will advise you on the exact splints or mouth guards that will suit your TMJ problems. Using a splint in addition to making lifestyle changes is more effective in treating TMJ pain than using the splint alone.
