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INTRODUCTION 3
TMJ DISORDERS: MYSTERIOUS CAUSES OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS
CHAPTER ONE 7
MEET THE MANY FACES OF TMJ DISORDERS
Chapter Two 14
TMJ Disorders: Conventionally Speaking
Chapter Three
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Chapter Four 30
TMJ Disorders: Nutritionally Speaking
Chapter Five 41
TMJ Disorders: Exercise. Really?
Chapter Six
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Conclusion Resources
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
INTRODUCTION:
TMJ DISORDERS: MYSTERIOUS CAUSES OF EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS
Don't talk, laugh, cry, sing, chew gum or eat any chewy food or candy, and dont grind your teeth or clench your jaw. Take it easy and stay away from stress.
This was the advice one of my well-intentions friends offered when I told them of my TMJ disorders. Well, do you think she could have covered any other human action -like maybe breathe? If you're like I was and are experiencing the pain of temporomandibular jaw disorders then you already know just how intense it can be. You're also well aware that this painful condition can not only disrupt you daily life, but it can play havoc with your sleep as well. Waking or sleeping (or just trying to!) you carry with you the constant ache of TMJ Disorders. If you're experiencing the pain in your jaw, believe it or not, you're one of the "lucky" ones. Don't think so? Well, you might not.
What exactly is a temporomandibular and how do you know when it's "out of order?" That's what this book is about to tell you. It's as if there are hidden, mysterious causes of this health concern lying in wait for you, ready to ambush your good health at any second. One wrong move -- a backpack that's too heavy, too much clenching of the teeth, poor posture -- and TMJ disorder pounce on you as fast as a cheetah pouncing on a gazelle. But that's really only half the story. You've no doubt heard the phrase, "I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?" When it comes to the prevalence, treatment and diagnosis of TMJ disorders there's a slightly different slant to the question: "I've got bad news and worse news. Which do you want first?" I've just given you the bad news. Now comes the worse news. So far, I'm only talking about individuals who have been able to receive an accurate diagnosis. These are the lucky few who know what they're dealing with. What about the others -- maybe yourself, your spouse or your child -- who deal with pain everyday and haven't been diagnosed yet? How many individuals are we talking about now? A recent study, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine said that between 40 and 75 percent of all adults have at least one symptom of a TMJ disorder. Is it possible that the incidence of this apparently burgeoning health problem be actually far more widespread than what these first few statistics convey?
RECOGNIZE YOURSELF?
You call it a simple tension headache. But your spouse says you grind your teeth at night. It's nothing, you admonish him. Ive been tense at work lately. There are a couple of deadlines coming up. Important ones. It starts out innocently enough. The symptoms certainly are subtle enough -- and that's the deceptive power of TMJ disorders. Could your seemingly unrelated health problems be due to something as simple as your posture your heavy purse burdening your shoulder? Indeed, its possible. As a person who has suffered for years with this at times intense pain, I know exactly how you feel. I visited doctor after doctor . . . specialist after specialist . . . only to be told that there was nothing wrong. At least nothing the conventionally trained medical professionals could find.
This Book Was Written With You In Mind! THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
Faced with this continued response, my first reaction was to believe them. But, then I realized that no one knew my body better than myself. And it was about time, I decided, to take control of my health. It was time for me to examine my habits all of them to see if I could discern what was wrong with me. It took literally months for me to finally discover that the underlying cause of my pain was due to TMJ. During these months I spent hours on end searching the web, seeking out books at the library, at all the area bookstores. When I eventually learned that the problems I experienced actually originated in my jaw . . . well, my jaw did drop! And with focus and determination I was able to help my body heal itself, without the use of prescription drugs with all their harsh, unwanted and even potentially dangerous side effects. A friend, who witnessed my journey through this period, urged me to write a book so others who are battling unexplained health problems could discover for themselves if TMJ was the real cause. She told me that even individuals who were already diagnosed could benefit from the vast amount of information I had gathered. At first I dismissed the idea. But the more I thought about it, the better the idea sounded. After all, who is better to help you with your TMJ disorders than someone who has been there and done that/ The intention of this book is not to replace any advice your personal health care provider has given you. Its not meant to diagnose your problem. And its definitely not meant as a prescription for a miracle cure. If you suspect you do suffer from TMJ disorders visit a health care provider you trust. Talk the issues youve read in here over with her. Together youll be able to determine the exact causes of your pain. In the meantime, you may want to try some of the natural remedies in this book. Go ahead. Do you find any relief? You may just be surprised. If theres one thing I learned early on in my search for answers: never discount anything. I learned that if the supposed remedy carried no unwanted side effects, I needed to maintain an open mind. I was able to overcome and beat the relentless, overwhelming pain of TMJ disorders. And so can you. The pages of this book not only explains what TMJ disorders are, how they manifest in your body and why they, so often are woefully under-diagnosed. But Ive also included your potential options if you decide conventional medicine is the route you choose to take. And Ive included potential answers to your pain through behavioral and nutritional changes as well.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
What are we waiting for? Lets make this journey of discovery together. Its time you received some answers to your questions and some relief to that pain.
CHAPTER ONE:
MEET THE MANY FACES OF TMJ DISORDERS
THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
So, why are TMJ disorders so difficult to diagnosis and ever trickier to treat? Part of the answer lies in deciphering the proper cause of your pain.
"Jessica had TMJ disorders," my friend said over a cup of coffee the other day, "and here is what she did to treat them." Then she rattled off the list of remedies she underwent to alleviate her pain. "I'm sure they'll work for you. I thanked my friend, but told her that Jessica's pain had a different cause than mine. And I could not use the same "prescription for healing, that she used. My words were met with a blank stare. And this is not an unusual response. If you suffer from TMJ disorders, then you know exactly what I mean. Each case is somewhat different. Therefore, each treatment plan needs to be tailored to the individual's specific causes. No wonder it's so difficult to diagnose and treat! But before we talk about the specific causes of your TMJ pain, let's talk in general about what TMJ disorders actually are. When your health care provider talks about this problem, she's referring to a group of rather complex problems -- all related to the jaw, or the temporomandibular joint. This joint is located on each side of your head in front of your ears. Its exact location is the meeting place of your lower jaw meets your skull. It actually combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The areas of the specific bones interacting with the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by nothing more than a very small disk which acts as a type of shock absorber. But unlike the bones in other parts of your body, the TMJ is actually composed of two joints. This unique make up is what allows it to both rotate and slide. As with any bone, though, eventually the surface area wears down or erodes. Signs of this include a clicking sound and a popping, as well as changes in the joints normal movements. The surfaces of both the bone and the cartilage are incapable of sending pain signals to your brain. Instead, the surrounding soft tissues become painful. The pain may also manifest in the trigeminal nerve, running through the joint area itself.
Once that happens, then the mandibles movements are automatically limited. Even when the jaw isnt in motion, the inflamed joints or the damaged nerve can cause constant pain. Since the TMJ is located so close to the ear, this pain may very well be interpreted for a typical earache or as facial pain.
Why Me?
There are any number of reasons why you may have a problem with this joint. For example, the disk itself may actually erode or move out of joint, resulting in a misalignment of your jaw. This joint is incredibly useful and you prove that every day, for talking chewing and yawning to be exact. Remember this is a joint, complete with all the foibles of your other joints. At times, you may encounter a professional who talks about myofacial pain dysfunction or Costen's syndrome. They're talking about the same health concern.
The clicking sound mentioned above occurs when you open and close your mouth. For some individuals, they hear this when they chew as well. Many people experience this without any pain at all. Hearing this sound alone is not an indication that you have a
health concern. Only those who experience pain along with the sound would be diagnosed as having TMJ disorders.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
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symptoms you're experiencing. This is important because of the variable origins of TMJ. Different types of symptoms can give your health care practitioner a clearer picture of the underlying cause or causes of the problem. You'll also want to give some thought to roughly when the symptoms began. Of course, you probably gave the pain no thought the first several times you felt it. If you're like most of us, you dismissed it, chalking it up to "just one of those things." But as it persisted, you, no doubt, became more concerned about it. Try to remember how long you've been struggling with this. Can you associate this pain with any particular activity? If so, be sure to tell your doctor that. This information, too, can help in detecting an accurate cause of your problem, which in turn can help with a more effective not to mention quicker treatment plan. If your jaw clicks or pops, tell your doctor or dentists this. Also inform him if you're experiencing problems sleeping at night. All of this is important. And finally, if you view your life as stressful, by all means mention this. Without at doubt, stress in our life manifests in any number of ways through our physical bodies. This could be why you're grinding your teeth at night.
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Don't be surprised -- or alarmed -- if he presses on the areas surrounding your jaws. In doing so, he's identifying areas of pain or discomfort. Your job is to be honest when he asks those questions, "Does this hurt?" "Does this feel uncomfortable?" Finally, he'll take the time to ask you -- if you haven't already told him -- about the level of stress or anxiety in your life. More importantly, he'll also question how you hand it. This could be some of the most telling testimony of the entire office visit.
Chapter Two:
TMJ Disorders: Conventionally Speaking
You have several treatment options available to you, my doctor said following the confirmation of the TMJ diagnosis. I sat forward in the chair, What are they? I asked, really not knowing what to expect. And with that, he began a litany of prescriptions and procedures, many of which I didnt know a thing about.
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If your pain is diagnosed as TMJ a similar list, outlining what conventional medicine can offer, may be presented to you. But I have to admit, it was difficult making an intelligent choice. I knew so very little about any of those options. That left me, in effect, at the mercy of the doctor. My initial decisions, at least, were based on his recommendations. And while that is not necessarily a bad situation, the best possible scenario in the decision-making process is not to approach it blindly. Its always much better if you have at least some idea of what your doctor is talking about. This chapter covers that. Itll give you a leg up on what your doctor may recommend you do for your pain. Knowing ahead of time what hes speaking about gives you the opportunity to ask probing, intelligently questions. But more importantly, it allows you to be an active partner in the direction of your own health instead of merely a participant.
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Dont think for a moment that just because you take acetaminophen your system isnt somehow ingesting it, because it very possibly may be. Its found as part of more than 600 other over-the-counter drugs, including many cold and sinus medications as well as cough remedies. If youve already used these products and found them lacking, dont be surprised. Medical experts say this class of pain killers is not very effective for TMJ because of its neurological nature. You may also have tried aspirin or even a host of NSAIDs non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. These are often confused with analgesics, but they work differently. Instead of blocking the transmission of the pain signals, they reduce the inflammation causing the pain. NSAIDs include ibuprofen. You probably have at least one bottle of this in your home right now under the brand name of either Motrin or Advil.
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Similarly, if you suffer from hypothyroidism, inform your prescribing physician. This health issue combined with the medication needs to be monitored closely.
In Addition to Addiction . . .
Obviously, addiction is the largest fear most individuals experience when they use muscle relaxants. But this type of drug also comes with other potential adverse issues. Some individuals, for example, experience stomach problems, including nausea and vomiting when they take these drugs. For others, the adverse effects can appear in the form of a dry mouth. But perhaps the most common effect accompanying their use is drowsiness. If you do use them, be careful, especially initially that you dont drive until you can evaluate how your body reacts to this medication. Many individuals also complain that their thought processes are foggy or cloudy. They lack the necessary concentration to think clearly. As a consequence some even say their daily ability to function normally is affected while theyre on this prescription drug. Some persons notice that their decision-making powers are diminished.
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Theres still one more caveat that needs to be mentioned if you decide to use this class of drugs. You must know that they may not mix well with other medications youre using. Be sure to inform your health care provider of your entire list of medications youre taking. When mixed with other drugs, the power of the muscle relaxants may be diminished or even negated completely. But more than that, the combination of this drug with certain others may even present itself as a dangerous situation.
For this reason, many doctors use it sparingly and only for a very short period of time. Usually, its recommended after all other treatments have failed. While corticosteroid injections help some individuals, many in the medical community question the lack of valuable guidelines regarding their use. What few guidelines exist, they contend are woefully inadequate.
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For the most part, the use of these injections that are placed directly into the jaw are based, according to many experts, more on anecdotal evidence than on any results for controlled scientific studies.
The What? The Occlusal Splint! THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
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The occlusal splint is an example of another popular non-surgical remedy to your pain. It sounds quite impressive and complicated, but you might know it better under its more common name: the bite guard. Ah! Now were talking. Some people, indeed, discover the much-needed relief they seek with the use of the occlusal splint. This bite guard is specifically created to prevent any further wear and tear on your joint. You may also hear it referred to as simply a splint or even an appliance. This device, though, is nothing new, having been used for more than 80 years for various problems relating to the mouth and jar. Its been used to treat the grinding of the teeth, the clenching of the mouth as well as most recently TMJ pain. Many individuals find this mechanism extremely helpful; others dont have good results with it. The guard, in fact, can actually lose its effectiveness over a period of time. And, as contradictory as this seems, some persons complain their symptoms worsen when they use the splint. Youll learn that this device comes in several different forms, depending on your individual needs. Some cover the top teeth; others fit over the bottom set of teeth. The splint, though, it may seem like an answer to your prayers, is not meant to be a permanent solution. Nor is the use of this device intended to alter your basic bit. If you discover this is occurring, then stop its use immediately and inform your health care provider. Perhaps the best evidence for some for the use of an occlusal splint is the rest it provides your muscles. With this device in overnight, youre simply not grinding your teeth in your sleep. While it's definitely a good approach, you do need to know a few of the disadvantages of the guard. First the guard may actually prevent your teeth from meshing together. And you also need to know that if you have sleep apnea, it may actually worsen the problem.
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If your doctor recommends arthrocentesis, he's actually recommending a simple procedure involving the extraction of fluid from the joint. Your doctor will inject a needle into the joint. Then the joint is irrigated in an attempt to remove debris and other inflammatory byproducts from the area. Once the area has been sufficiently cleared, he may then inject either a form of lubricants into the space or even medications of some sort, including corticosteroids. Being a minimally invasive treatment, recovery time is short. At most, individuals need two days to recover from it. This procedure doesnt work for every patient, though. Some individuals who receive it said it did nothing to relieve their pain. If your doctor recommends this approach you need to consider it very carefully. It's an approach that the national Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research believes to be controversial yet. It actually suggests that surgery be performed when all other treatments have failed.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
Not only does this treatment give your surgeon the best possible view of your jaw, its the method of choice for the repair or removal of the articular disc, as well as replacement of the disc and general surgery to the bone. Performed under either local or general anesthesia it, like the other less invasive surgeries weve discussed, involves making a small cut over the jaw that are directly in front of the ear. This exposes the joint space, allowing the surgeon room (if you want to call that small area roomy!) to perform the necessary procedure.
What Is A Menictomy?
Wow! Another good question. If your surgeon mentions this procedure then hes talking about either the total or partial removal of the disc. It may be that this cartilage is so badly damaged that it just cant be saved. The procedure by which this is accomplished is called a menictomy It describes either the partial or total removal of the articular disc and the consequential replacement of it with an implant. The implant consists of a synesthetic material which performs the identical function as the disc did. It prevents the joint bones from rubbing against each other.
Osseous Surgery
Just when you think youve learned about all the possible surgeries that can be performed on your jaw joint, theres another lurking around the corner. This one is called osseous surgery. If your surgeon mentions this, hes not talking about replacement, but rather re-structuring or re-shaping the disc. TMJ pain can occur due to poorly formed bones in the joint area. This surgery attempts to remodel the bone to alleviate the problem.
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It wouldnt be surprising then for you to read this list thinking that there must be another way to treat your chronic problem. And youre right there is. Its a more integrative approach to your pain which may involve changes in your daily habits, not only involving your posture and movements, but your dietary habits as well. The rest of this book delves into how you may be able to avoid or at least lessen your dependence on prescription medications and conventional treatments by applying some of these more unconventional natural treatments.
Chapter Three:
TMJ Disorders: Unconventionally Speaking
My naturopath doctor asked who referred me to her for treatment. Surprisingly, I said, my medical doctor, among others. Why are you surprised? she asked. Because I never thought conventional doctors believed in these alternative approaches to healing. Several decades ago that, indeed, was the case. Few medical physicians believed in, nor recommended what once was called complementary and alternative treatments. Not only did these doctors dismissed these practices out of hand, but they some also viewed them as dangerous.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
Today, doctors are sitting up and taking notice. Many are not only recommending that you seek what we may call unconventional treatments, but many are working hand in hand with many of these natural providers of healing.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
When you think of traditional Chinese medicine, your mind may immediately race to strange-sounding herbs. But also included in this concept is acupuncture. At its core, Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at disease and pain fundamentally different from modern Western medicine. Its holistic approach to healing. The diagnosis of a specific illness, for example TMJ pain, is made not only with regard to the innate cause of the pain, but also its location, mechanism and its very nature. Because of this, two individuals with identical pain or the identical illness could conceivably receive vastly different forms of treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses whats known as yin and yang to determine, in part, an individuals specific therapeutic road. Many of the decisions made through this modality are also based on the use of the universal elements: earth, fire, metal, water and wood.
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sustained. Should any element decide to take control, while others take a back seat, so to speak, the result is pain and disease. All of your bodys organs, Traditional Chinese Medicine says, possess characteristics that align remarkably well to these five natural elements. Just as the elements interact with each other, so do your organs. When any element encroaches or dominates over another, disease occurs. While all five elements are in balance health flourishes.
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connective tissue as well. In addition to that, this therapy boosts your bodys active painkilling mechanism and increases blood flow. Acupuncture relieves the root cause of your pain instead of masking it temporarily. While this therapy may be able alleviate your pain, you need to make sure that its performed by an accomplished acupuncturist. If youre at a loss of where to start searching for one, start with asking your friends and family. They may have used one. Youll also want to ask natural health practitioners who are receptive to this type of treatment. They may have already referred other patients to acupuncturists. Lastly, once you find one dont hesitate to ask to visit prior to committing yourself to a session. You want to make sure that everything in the office is clean, the needles sterile and ensure that she is knowledgeable.
Ayurvedic Medicine
Originating in India, the Ayurvedic system of healing is thought to be the worlds oldest -- even older than Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ayurvedic, by the way means science of life in Sanskrit. And today, it still remains extremely popular as a healing modality in India. More than 90 percent of the Indian population us some form of Ayurvedic medicine. An entirely holistic form of medical treatment, this revered approach cures through its creation of harmony among the three essential aspects of your very being: body, mind and spirit. When these aspects are balanced health is the result. Not only does this system include herbal remedies, but it provides specific dietary guidelines.
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If youre considering using this system as a part of your overall TMJ treatment, then its essential you enlist the help and guidance of a trained Ayurvedic professional. Its not a system that you can pick off the shelf and uses on your own. Its ability to cure is based on its individualized approach. There are no generic guidelines. A professionally trained advisor can help you tailor a regime that fulfills your needs for nutrition, exercise, and even personal interests as well as just about every other area of your life. Included in this overall approach are such therapies as dincharya, a daily personalized regime as well as whats called ritucharya, a seasonal routine. Remember, physical health isnt the only goal of this holistic medicinal approach. Its goal is also to create mental and spiritual health as well. Thats why the personalized approach is so vital. Interested in this system? Before you even approach a qualified Ayurvedic professional, consider reading about the system. One of the classic texts is entitled Charak Samhita. The knowledge accumulated in this book dates back to 800 BCE and was compiled by Charaka, an instructor at the University of Taxila, considered to be one of the oldest universities in the world. Another useful and informative volume is the Sushruta Samhita. This book was compiled by Sushruta, and it holds healing secrets that originate from 700 BCE. Not only does it offer an excellent and comprehensive explanation of Ayurvedic medicine, but it also provides a definition of the approach, as well as revealing health secrets regarding the importance of the state of your blood. Youll also discover a great description of the five subdoshas of Pitta and the marma points.
Homeopathic Medicine
Developed in Germany, homeopathy is a mere child in age when compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Nearly 200 years old, it too is a natural system of healing based on the theory that like cures like. Its been used in the U.S. since the 19 th century. In addition to treating diseases, homeopathy, its advocates say, is also an excellent preventive tool to keeping illnesses at bay. In addition to the fundamental groundwork of like cures like is the key principle of dilution. You may also hear it referred to as the law of minimum dose. It says that the lower the dose of any homeopathic substance administered, the greater its effectiveness. Substances used in treatment, then are diluted in a step-by-step fashion, and then shaken vigorously between each step.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
A homeopathic doctor treats each person according to his individualized needs. It very well could be that two persons, each complaining of TMJ pain could walk out of the doctors door with vastly different health care plans. Before administering any substance, he examines the overall needs of his patient, paying close attention not only to his genetic and personal health history, but also his body type. Additionally, he evaluates the individuals physical, emotional and mental symptoms. The remedies used in this system are derived from not only plants, but also minerals and even animals. Some of the most popular substances used are arnica or mountain herb, red onion and stinging nettle. Almost four million Americans are already using this natural system as part of their overall health blueprint. Below are a few of the substances that could be used in a comprehensive approach to treating your TMJ symptoms. Its advisable not to administer these independently of a trained homeopathic professional. If you do decide to visit a specialist in this area, be sure to consult with your personal health care provider before beginning the treatment. In this way you can be sure that no homeopathic substances will react adversely with any prescription medications you may be taking. Some of the remedies used routinely in the care of TMJ pain include causticum, hypericum perforatum, ignata, kalmia, magnesia phosphorica, rhus toxicodendron and Rhus graveolens. But these arent the only tools the homeopathic specialist has in his black bag of healing. A very effective substance against the pain of TMJ is called ferrum phosphoricum. This biochemic salt helps your body absorb iron, which is essential in the maintenance of your bodys myelin sheath that surrounds every tissue in your body. This sheath is indispensable to the delivery of iron to your nerve cells. Not only does this remedy help to relieve headaches, it also helps to banish feelings of irritability and tension as well as tiredness. A legendary homeopathic pain reliever, magnesium phosphate also benefits your nervous system. This substance naturally relaxes your muscles and is a tremendous anti0spasmodic agent. Kalium phosphate is a well-known and effective brain and nerve tonic. It literally nourishes your nervous system. By the way, its the most commonly recommended tissue salt for dispelling worry and distress.
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Chapter Four:
TMJ Disorders: Nutritionally Speaking
Shh! I have a secret about food and TMJ. You already know a soft diet is sometimes necessary, but did you realize your overall nutritional intake can actually alleviate some of the pain?
On one of visits to my natural health care providers, she began asking a series of questions about my diet. I thought these questions were going to be the standard ones my allopathic doctor always asked. Then he always ended in extolling the virtues of a soft diet. Much to my surprise, this health professional instead explained the very real role nutrition can play in actually healing my condition. Wow! I never thought that vitamins and minerals would affect the health of my jaw! If youve ever had any type of jaw pain then you know how difficult it can be to eat well. Hard foods are difficult if not impossible to chew, causing you even more pain. So you try d to eat strictly soft foods, but let's face it, foods like mashed potatoes and milk shakes get boring really fast.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
But if your TMJ disorder is caused by any arthritis-related pain, then carefully choosing your foods involves more than the choice among soft foods. Because as you know, a jaw is a joint, just like any other joint in your body. And that means, according to some dietitians and nutritionists, that what you eat affects the health of your joints. So now basically you're facing two dilemmas. First, you need to come up with nutritious, dare we say even exciting, foods to eat while you're in pain. But beyond that you need to start eating a little more on the healthy side to improve the state of your arthritis. Sounds a little difficult? It neednt be, actually. That's exactly why this chapter is divided into two parts. First, we'll cover how you can eat a little better even with your current jaw pain. The second part is how you can improve your diet to improve your arthritis-related pain.
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3 peaches peeled and sliced 4 scoops vanilla ice cream 2 cups vanilla soy milk cup orange juice Combine the peaches, ice cream soy milk and orange juice in a blender. Blend this until it's smooth. Pour this into a glass and enjoy!sppl Banana-Peanut Butter Smoothie Ingredients: 1 1/3 cup vanilla soy milk cup soft tofu, crumbled and drained 2 medium bananas, sliced and frozen 3 tablespoon creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ 3 tablespoons brown sugar 4 ice cubes Pinch of salt Combine all the ingredients except the bananas and ice cubes in the blender. Mix until well blended. Add the bananas and the ice cubes. Cover the blender and continue blending until smooth. Enjoy!
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Pain-Free Breakfast
Ingredients: 6 peaches, peeled and sliced 12 slices day-old French bread (approximately inch thick) 1 cup packed brown sugar cup butter 2 Tablespoon water 6 eggs 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 1 pinch ground cinnamon, or to taste Instructions: Stir the brown sugar, butter and water together in a sauce pan. Bring this mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour this mixture into a 9-by-13 inch baking dish, ensuring it covers the entire bottom of the dish. Layer the peaches over the sugar coating. Top with the slices of French bread. Whisk the eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour this slowly over the bread to coat evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon over this. Cover and refrigerate for approximately 8 hours. Approximately 30 minutes before baking, remove the dish from the refrigerator, bringing it to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. ********* Have you ever thought of pulled pork shoulder for dinner? It takes a minimal amount of chewing and you'll receive a maximum amount of taste!
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One (1) 4 to 7 lb bone in or boneless pork shoulder (you might also know this type of meat as Boston butt) cup water Season lightly with salt and pepper Enough of your favorite barbecue sauce for the flavor you want Simmer the pork in your sauce to get the flavors to mingle. Then serve on a soft bun.
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cup low-fat mayonnaise cup plain yogurt 1 Tbsp grated onion 3 Tbsp ketchup 2 Tbsp. milk 3 Tbsp chopped sweet pickles, drained 14 ounce can of red sockeye salmon, drained. Skinned and boned 8 ounces mushroom, cut in half 10-ounce package of mixed salad greens 2 tomatoes sliced 3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced Instructions: Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, onion, ketchup, milk and sweet pickle in a medium bowl. Blend well. Set this aside. Add salmon and mushrooms and stir to coat. Put the greens on the platter. Top these with the salmon mixture. Add the tomatoes and hard-cooked eggs. Serve immediately with yogurt-mayonnaise dressing. And how about a little dessert after some of these delicious meals. What about . . .
Lemony Delight
Ingredients: 4 cups vanilla ice cream or lemon ice cream, softened 6 ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 9-inch graham cracker crust Instructions: Mix the ice cream and lemonade concentrate in a medium bowl until blended. Spoon into the crust. Freeze this four a minimum of 4 hours. Allow to stand temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
No, you want to choose the softest foods you can find. These can include well-cooked grains, as well as beans and steamed vegetables. Yogurt additionally is a good choice as are bananas and beans. Oh yeah. One more piece of advice. You really don't want to chew gum either right about now.
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You can start by using it just like flour. Simply cut the flour you use in any recipe in half, substituting wheat germ for the other half. Youll love the slightly nutty resulting taste. If the recipe calls for four cups of flour, use only two cups, then add two cups of wheat germ. You can even use wheat germ in recipes that require bread crumbs, especially when youre coating foods and frying them. Add a tablespoon of what germ to your morning smoothie. But add it at the very last moment, when its already practically blended. Just one more piece of advice. When you do purchase wheat germ (and I encourage you to do so) be sure to store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Otherwise youll discover how quickly it can spoil. He also suggests approximately 1,000 mg of vitamin C taken about five times daily (Yep, you read that right!), along with 50 mg of zinc two times a day.
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Selenium is a trace mineral, one we rarely give much thought to. But it can play a vital role in the health of your jaw. So what foods are good, natural sources? Heres a Top 10 list of the richest sources of selenium. 1. Brazil nuts 2. Sunflower seeds 3. Fish 4. Shellfish 5. Meat 6. Poultry 7. Eggs 8. Mushrooms 9. Grains including wheat germ 10. Onions It seems easy enough to get at least an adequate supply of selenium on a daily basis. If youre planning on boosting your intake naturally though, be sure to choose the healthiest foods from an overall perspective from this list. Remember that too much red meat isnt recommended, so offset that with the fish, eggs, and nuts and seeds. Continue on this regimen of high dosage dietary supplements for two weeks. After that you can return to more typical servings of these dietary supplements. You'll also want to talk with your health care provider before you take any nutrients -- especially those at high levels like this. There still is one more nutritional supplement that may heal the pain of TMJ disorders. Granted, this may be a catalog of cause linked together by only association, but it's definitely a list to ponder on. The following disorders have been known to be caused by a deficiency of magnesium. Coincidentally, these are the same disorders that are also linked to TMJ pain. Or maybe not so coincidentally? Migraines -- other kinds of headaches Mitral Valve Prolapse Fibromyalgia Unexplained hearing loss Tinnitus Vertigo
If you have any of these problems perhaps the condition goes deeper than just the symptoms. Talk with your health care provider about what your body's current level of magnesium is.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
So what's the TMJ-magnesium connection? It's quite interesting, if little known. Magnesium is an essential mineral in the creation of a substance called hyaluronic acid. You may also have heard it referred to as hyluronan or simple HA. Hyaluronic acid is a vital part of the connective tissue in your body whose purpose is to lubricate the joints. So what are the most abundant food sources of magnesium. Heres the Top 10 List for this trace mineral: 1. Bran, including rice, wheat and oats 2. Dried herbs 3. Squash, pumpkin and watermelon 4. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate (Yum!) 5. Flax, sesame seeds and sesame butter 6. Brazil nuts 7. Sunflower seeds 8. Almonds and cashews 9. Molasses 10. Dry Roasted soybeans
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4. Sardines 5. Dark green leafy vegetables, especially kale, spinach and collard greens 6. Fortified breakfast cereals, especially Total, Corn Flakes and Raisin Brain 7. Fortified orange juice 8. Soybeans 9. Fortified soy milk 10. Enriched breads, grains and yes, even waffles Omega 3 and TMJ Another essential nutrient you may want to investigate if youre struggling with TMJ pain is Omega 3 fatty acids. Youve heard its good for your heart. In fact, this substance has been shown to help many health conditions, including heart disease. But did you know it might have some very real healing powers when it comes to your TMJ pain? Its true. And the reason is fairly simple, once you realize omega 3 is a powerful, antiinflammatory element. Weve already learned that if you can reduce the swelling, you can reduce your pain. The most popular form of omega-3 fatty acids is through dietary supplements. But if you can receive it naturally, so much the better. So how much omega 3 should you sonsume? Dr. Carl Levie, the medical direct of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention at the Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute in New Orleans, recommends a minimum of 500 mg daily for a healthy individual. So what are the best natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids. The top 5 list of most abundant omega 3 foods follows. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Flax seeds Salmon and other cold-water fish Walnuts Soybeans and tofu Winter squash
If you can start improving your dietary lifestyle, then you may be able to alleviate some of your worst TMJ pain. Of course, dietary supplements for all of these nutrients abound. But the quality of your nutrients is vastly increased if you can receive your essential vitamins and minerals and even essential fatty acids through natural means healthy foods. In the next chapter we deal with another critical factor in solving your TMJ pain: handling the stress in your life.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
Chapter Five:
TMJ Disorders: Exercise. Really?
The Healing Power of Exercise. It may not sound like a quick and easy fix to TMJ problems, but youd be surprised at what type of exercise actually qualifies as beneficial.
Exercise? Really! Come on! Youve got o be kidding me, I heard myself saying to my naturopath physician. What in the world does my level of activity have to do with a pain that starts in my jaw? Quite a bit, actually. My physician reacted calmly to my tirade. Apparently, I wasnt his first patient to react incredulously at his strong recommendation. Yes! As much as you may not want to hear it, exercise -- various types -- can go a long way to alleviating your pain. Among the most effective ones are those which directly affect your jaw. Right now, what we're talking about here are mild, but effective jaw exercises. These are designed with the aims of rehabilitating and strengthening your this area. Battling the Dreaded Clench Yes, there is a simple way to help stop clenching your teeth. But you have to be conscious first that the clenching is actually occurring. What's you've identified this then here's what you can do. First, make a "clucking" sound with your tongue. (Yeah, it sounds a little off the wall, but give it a try!) Maintain this pose with a slight pressure. Ensure your tongue isn't touching your teeth. Next, keep your lips together while at the same time your teeth are slightly set apart. Make sure your lower jaw is Relaxed. The next step in this practice is to breath in deeply through your nose. Every time you feel yourself clenching your teeth, perform this exercise.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
For example, when you sign up for a yoga class at your local YMCA, one of the poses you may be doing is called the Downward Facing Dog. This specifically brings blood flow into your head. In the process, it bathes the TMJ in not only a glorious and well need flow of blood, but also in the lymph flow too. Basically, this pose literally flushes blood both in and out of your jaw and face. The shoulder stand and the legs-up-the-wall poses are also two excellent methods to jumpstarting the flow of blood and lymph fluid to your jaw. But more than anything else, the key to de-stressing your body -- and what yoga helps you do -- is to breathe. This, more than anything, relaxes your jaw. Every move you learn in this ancient form has specific breathing instructions that are every bit as important to the proper execution of the activity as the physical postures. A good video or instruction book can help you learn these. But the best way, of course, is to discover a good instructor. The effort expended in the search as well as the class itself is well worth the effort in clearing your TMJ symptoms.
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
The good news is that the latest research reveals that any form of physical activity can help improve your reaction to and your management of stress. And dont think that you have to start out big. Because thats just not the case. If you havent exercised in a while or really never embarked on a regular program before, you can still reap amazing benefits with a slow and steady approach. No doubt, youre already well aware that physical activity of any type improves your overall health and even improves your mood. The most recent studies, in fact, reveal that exercising daily even for as little as 30 minutes a day, can be more effective at dispersing mental depression than prescription anti-depressants. Now even you have to admit thats totally awesome. And regular exercise has no adverse side effects! Exactly through what mechanism does exercise perform these miraculous benefits of de-stressing? Physical activity literally changes the chemical composition of your body. Sustained regular exercise increases the amount of endorphins in your body, those neurotransmitters that are fondly called feel-good transmitters. You may know this effect as runners high, because many runners have experienced and talked excitedly about it. Exercise has also been called meditation in motion. And no it doesnt only refer to Tai Chi. You activity could be as simple as walking or as vigorous as a good game of racquetball. Youll discover as you get moving that the problems and pressures of the day slowly fade into the background. You discover that much like in the act of meditation you begin to center your attention focusing on what youre doing. The result increased energy and a more optimistic attitude helps you to remain calm, centered and feeling in control!
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
Speaking of staying with an activity, you need to give careful thought to the type of exercise you want to do. It would be difficult if not impossible to sustain a daily routine you dont like the activity youre performing. Instead of anticipating your exercise, youd be dreading it. And quite frankly that would cause you even more stress.
Chapter Six:
TMJ Disorders: Herbal and Home Remedies
THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER
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Sometimes the most effective answers to health problems are the simplest. And if it doesnt involve prescription medications or surgery, sometimes we tend to ignore these remedies. In this chapter we discover the simple answers that worked for others. Will they work for you? Only you can answer that question
Youve got to be kidding me? I asked my naturopath incredulously. He assured me that he was very serious about the advice he had just doled out to me. And what was that? To look seriously at some of the home remedies suggested for TMJ pain. After all, other people are suggesting them because the treatment obviously worked for them, he told me patiently. Theres no reason why you cant find some natural means, in addition to herbal treatments that may work for you. I walked out of his office stunned. But after careful consideration, I started surfing the net for home remedies. And the effectiveness and insight in some of these suggestions astounded me. To save you the hours upon hours of search time I spent collecting these gems of healing, Im presenting what I consider are the most effective. Try them. If one doesnt work for you toss it aside and go onto the next. If it does work, then claim it as your own. Additionally, this chapter has a few of the most effective herbal treatments for relieving the symptoms of TMJ. The ones presented are by no means a definitive treatment of the subject, but there are enough herbs listed to get you acquainted with them.
Moist Heat
The moment you feel the pain from your TMJ disorder coming on, get a warm washcloth. Place it over the area that hurts. This will help to immediately reduce the pain. And it may just buy you a little time while any pain medications you may be taking kick in.
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Its called mandibular massage, involving a simple gentle form of massage over the areas around your jaw. This effectively relaxes the muscles, which may help to reduce your dependency on prescription medications for muscle relaxants. In addition to relaxing the muscles, this activity also helps to improve the flow of blood to the areas affected. Perform this massage several times a day The first step is to open your mouth, then rub the muscles near your ears with your forefinger. Use a circular motion, making a swirling motion on the muscles. Perform this activity first on one side and then another. Dont be surprised if you discover this area is tender to the touch or even hurts. If theres pain here, thats exactly what you would expect to find. Continue massaging like this until you feel the muscles relaxing. Now close your mouth and repeat these steps. Once youve performed the massage with both your mouth open and close, you still have a few more steps to accomplish. Be sure your forefinger is clean. Using that clean finger, reach inside your mouth and find the sore muscles from the inside. Youll perform the same massage steps from the inside of your mouth as you did on the outside. Next youll massage the muscles on both sides of your neck. No, these dont control your jaw. But by relaxing these at the same time youre soothing the others, youre helping to reducing the tension on the jaw muscles as well.
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minutes. Then apply a cold pack on the same area for about 10 minutes. Continue doing this until the pain eases.
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Youll want to find a comfortable, quiet and above all a private location. Wherever you choose to visualize, be sure you wont be disturbed. Close your eyes. Take several deep breaths. Now, here come the nuts and bolts of this exercise. Imagine yourself in your favorite surrounding. It could be a beach, a mountain hideaway, or even along a flower-lined country lane. You choose the one place in the entire world that you equate with a relaxing time. As you visualize this scene begin also to imagine exactly how relaxing it would be. Imagine exactly what you think you would see, hear and feel. Go ahead. If youre on a beach, envision yourself walking barefoot on the sand. What do your toes feel like as the sand plays between them? Next, begin to speak to yourself. Remind yourself that theres not a single task that needs your attention right now, theres no errands to run and no one is demanding any of your time. In short, absolutely nothing else is demanding your time. Visualize this scenario for approximately ten minutes yes, you may have to work up to this amount of time. Sit back and enjoy your time alone for as long as you can. To leave your private place, simply take a few deep breaths. Slowly open your eyes. Youll probably find yourself feeling immensely refreshed and unusually relaxed. Congratulations!
Peppermint, Anyone?
Some individuals find great relief by rubbing peppermint on their temples and forehead. Be careful though not to get this in your eyes. It may be a natural substance, bit if it gets into your eyes, it really will burn.
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You may also find relief by rubbing lavender oil directly onto the affected areas as well. Its known as a soothing natural substance. A Few Choice Herbs There are many choices when it comes to herbal remedies. Choosing the best may be difficult. You can take most of the guess work out of deciding which herbal treatment to use simply by consulting a licensed herbal consultant. He can tell you which herbs and in what manner you should use herbs. And, as always, if youre using herbal supplements or herbs of any kind with the purpose of improving your TMJ pain, let your prescribing medical physician know. If youre taking any prescription drugs, he may want to either adjust them or eliminate them. So what herbs work at helping to ease TMJ pain?
Skullcap
This herb with a unique sounding name, is native to North America and is legendary in effectively relieving many of the symptoms and side effects associated with TMJ. First and foremost its a natural method of re-invigorating your central nervous system. Dont think thats important? This seemingly irrelevant action may be the premiere approach to relieving that night time habit of clenching your teeth. But thats not its only benefit. Skullcap possesses an abundance of antioxidant flavonoids. These work on your system by reducing the very inflammation which triggers pain. If youre using antidepressants as part of your conventional TMJ treatment, as many persons do, please do not take skullcap.
Feverfew
You might already be familiar with this natural cure for migraine headaches. Whether youre actually used it or just read about its amazing abilities, you need to re-examine it in light of your TMJ symptoms. Its without a doubt, a tremendous natural antiinflammatory. If youre currently taking any form of blood thinning medication dont take feverfew.
Lavender
This sweet aromatic herb certainly is beautiful, but dont let appearances fool you. In addition to its beauty and sweet scent, lavender also offers a mighty power to relieve even the toughest of pain. It is indeed a powerhouse as a healing herb. Its most
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valuable benefit as many will testify lies in its ability to sooth your system. It is, indeed, a tremendous natural tonic for your nervous system.
Conclusion:
Making Peace With Your Body
Three months into my new, natural game plan of living, I visited my natural health care provider again. This time the visit was different vastly different. Instead of rolling my eyes and stiffening up at the thought of being prescribed exercise for my pain, I rambled on about the many benefits exercise had. I extolled the virtues of proper eating habits and praised natural supplements. Look at me! I exclaimed triumphantly, rising from my chair. Look at all the weight Ive lost. I can move again. I have more energy, less headaches. But the best part is those symptoms you said were directly caused by my TMJ disorder, theyre gone! All gone! And if I have a say in it, theyll never come back.
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He smiled slightly, looked me over well, and then said, You have the biggest and loudest say on whether those symptoms will return. And Im guessing you wont allow them. Originally, I had titled the conclusion TMJ Disorders: Nothing Less Than a Major Assault. But then I realized that really wasnt how I dealt with my pain. Instead of attacking the disorders, I actually quite literally made peace with my body. The pain, you see, was just a method one of the few methods available to it of telling me something was wrong. I listened to what it said. I then took steps to please it. Was my body saying it needed more activity? Very likely it was. I evaluated my lifestyle. How much exercise did I really receive? If my system needed more exercise, then I better give it what it wants! What else did my body crave that prior to my epiphany I was just too blind to realize? I certainly hope you found what your body craves in this book. If you did then your pain is well on the path to a delightful healing journey. Not only that, but by using some of the tips . . . tricks and techniques found inside this book, youve probably created a better body in general. Of course, the best aspect of this healthier self is the ability to live without TMJ pain. Click the button below to get some more usefull Information and get rid of TMJ
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THE ULTIMATE HANDBOOK ON TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DISORDER