TMJ disorders and its symptoms are called the "Great Imposter" because of its multiplicity; following symptoms are related with TMJ disorders: chronic headaches, (migraine headache, tension-type headache, cluster headache), neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, facial pain, jaw pain, clicking and popping jaw, clenching and grinding teeth, trigeminal neuralgia, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, lack of energy, dizziness, light headedness, ringing in the ears, earache without infection, blurred vision, pain behind the eyes, numbness or tingling of the arms and fingers, swallowing difficulty, sleep apnea, insomnia, limited range of motion, loss of balance, curved neck, and hunch back posture.  

 

CHRONIC HEADACHE:

The most common TMJ symptoms are chronic headaches, while neck pain, jaw pain, clicking or popping jaw, clenching teeth are common signs and symptoms.  Headache has been known as the number one pain problem in the United States, and approximately 40% of all "healthy" individuals suffer from some kind of headache.  There are numerous medications and treatment modalities for headaches, however, millions of people still suffer from various types of headache everyday without knowing what else to do or when headache is going to cease.

                                          "Are headaches really an incurable disease?" 

In dentistry, numerous articles explain how headaches can result from TMJ disorders, dental stress, bad bite and well educated and experienced 'TMJ-Dentists' are proud of relieving chronic headaches by utilizing very simple treatment modality without drugs or surgery.  At TMJ, Head & Neck Pain Center, most chronic headache patients are relieved from their pain in few weeks after treatment started and enjoy a pain free new life. 

 

 CHRONIC NECK PAIN: 

When TMJ is displaced due to injury, bad bite, abnormal habitual positioning, or whatever the cause is, the jaw, neck, or shoulder muscles become distracted, shortened and are forced to over work to keep the head balance on top of the spinal column.  The neck muscles become tense, stress the nerves on the back of the neck (occipital nerve), thus causing neck pain. 

An American Medical Association study illustrates that neck muscle contraction  comprise about 90% of all headaches.  Brain does not feel pain by itself, and the feeling of headache is actually feeling of the pain, which is generated from the surrounding muscles of the head and neck. 

 

JAW PAIN/CLICKING/POPPING/CLENCHING/LIMITED OPENING: 

Most of these symptoms are caused by displaced TMJs.  When the the TMJs are re-aligned in a physiologic, functional position, all these symptoms go away.

                       

 

RINGING IN THE EAR/DIZZINESS/LOSS OF HEARING:

Numerous reports are published as to the relationship between TMJ disorders and ear related symptoms.  The ear and the condyle (head of the jaw bone) are next to each other and separated by a thin bone plate.  If the TMJ is displaced and the condyle does not stay within its socket during the jaw movement, it begin to irritate the ear hole and can cause various  symptoms including; ringing in the ear, dizziness and vertigo, ear ache without infection, and loss of hearing, etc. 

 

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA: 

Trigeminal neuralgia is also referred to as tic douloureux, which means unbearable, painful twitch.  The symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include a very sharp, short, electric-type pain.  Pain is triggered by touching a specific area of the skin by washing, shaving, applying makeup, brushing the teeth, kissing or even by cold air.

Because of the complexity of treatment modalities and the unpredictable treatment outcome, not many healthcare practitioners are willing to challenge this unusual symptom and only a few highly educated and trained individuals, or hospital level programs with ready facilities, are available for this treatment.  Commonly, drugs such as neurontin, tegretol or injections are used to quiet nerves.  Occasionally, very aggressive treatment modalities are implied, such as brain surgery, to separate blood vessel from nerve to relieve pressure to the trigeminal nerve. (www.cedars-sinai.edu/mdnsi)

The main nerves distributed in the face and the jaw are Trigeminal nerve and Facial nerve.  Especially, branches of trigeminal nerve are directly related to TEETH and TMJ.  Because trigeminal neuralgia caused by irritated and triggered trigeminal nerves, and malocclusion and TMJ disorder are the main nerve distressing factors.  If we are able to establish bite and TMJ to its physiological functional position and, balance the teeth to various jaw movement, it can quiet the trigeminal nerve and the pain will be successfully relieved.

 

FIBROMYALGIA (FM): 

This is one of the most prevalent rheumatic disorders affecting women between the ages of 25 and 55.  Most FM patients complain of generalized pain that is difficult to pinpoint which leads to the statement:  "It hurts all over" (11 out of 18 pain points).

Hundreds of prominent researchers and clinicians have spent their time, effort, and millions of dollars (maybe multi-billions around the world), to find the cause of FM and pain mechanisms.  So far, they have recognized the following as possible causes of fibromyalgia:  physical trauma, chronic pain conditions, arthritis, chronic mechanical stress, psychological distress, significant emotional stress, repetitive environmental stimuli, genetically decreased threshold, mechanical stress in the spine, automobile accident, infection, sleep deprivation, insomnia, psychosocial factors, stress, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches (migraine, tension type), restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, temporomandibular pain and dysfunction, myofascial pain syndrome, primary dysmenorrhea, chronic fatigue syndrome, female urethral syndrome, neuroendocrine dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, chronic enzyme deficiency, central sensitization (sensitive central nervous system caused by continuous irritation of chemical, heat, touch etc), and much more. 

                    "Wow!  Who could possibly not have Fibromyalgia? " 

So called "Fibromyalgia Experts" have recommended the following treatment/management modalities:  exercise, muscle strengthening, aerobic fitness, pool exercise, spa therapy, ultrasound therapy, cardiovascular program, mineral bath, acupuncture, massage, nutritional supplement, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, pain pills, muscle relaxants, and sleeping pills.  Also large pharmaceutical companies are engaged in a race to discover effective drugs for treatment.  You may soon be bombarded with 'new drugs'. 

                "What are you going to do for the treatment and whom are you going to seek for help?" 

Will you visit every healthcare professional or are you going to have a shot at one pain site after another?  Will you go on taking all types of pain pills?  Or are you going to join a Fibromyalgia support group and spend time feeling sorry for yourself learning how to live with it? 

Fibromyalbia is not an intractable or incurable disease.  It is a symptom of the broken circuit in the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) inside of your body and can be cured by simply resetting it again.  "TMJ Disorder" is one of the major causes of a broken circuit to ANS.  If we can remove the causative dental distress and re-establish physiological functions to the ANS, this can alleviate fibromyalgia within a few weeks without medication, painful stretching, exercises or any unfavorable treatment.

 

WHIPLASH: 

Whiplash trauma is the result of a vehicular collision or other jarring event (such as a fall).  Neck pain is the most commonly reported symptom, headache and upper shoulder girdle pain is the second.  It is not uncommon for pain and dysfunction to appear several days, weeks, months or even years after the injury.

If symptoms are not improved after suggested therapy, there can be a displacement of the TM joint, torned TMJ ligaments, and/or minor change of bite relationship and symptoms may not be relieved until proper bite/TMJ relationship is re-established. 

 

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER/PAIN AND DYSFUNCTION OF THE BODY:

Our body is the ultimate living  machine.  But it needs a well maintained bone structure, muscle tone, nutrition, good night's sleep, and emotional environment to function and perform properly. 

The musculoskeletal system is the master system in our body. It controls posture, breathing, gait, and body movement.  It is the system that allows you to enjoy golf, dancing, sports, working-out, and sexual performance. 

If you have a TMJ-musculoskeletal disorder you may experience loss of balance, unstable gait, curved posture, a hunched back, tilted neck, discomfort on standing and sitting, shortness of breath, difficulty taking deep breaths, limited range of movement, chronic fatigue, and indigestion etc.

If the bite can be corrected and the TMJ balance can be established in a physiological position  according to the direction of the bio-mechanical body movement, your functional capacity will be improved greatly, and the most musculoskeletal originating pain will be eliminated or reduced faster than by taking pills or hard exercising. 

 

CHRONIC FATIGUE/LACK OF ENERGY:  Multi-factors can contribute to a lack of energy and chronic fatigue.  Aging, improper nutrition, and chronic illness such as; hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, and taking multiple drugs, all have to be considered as well. 

However, the most influential factor is structural imbalance, including TMJ imbalance.  Balancing the body structure and establishing proper body chemistry is the most effective proven chronic fatigue syndrome treatment modality.  If you have Dental Distress Syndrome, which perpetuates into TMJ, it further influences the mastication, digestion, enzyme production, and this can cause inadequate absorption/assimilation, leading to a lack of energy production and chronic fatigue.