While jaw pain and jaw clicking is the most common signs of TMD, chronic headaches and neck pains are the most prevalent symptoms. There also many other symptoms which are associated with TMJ disorders. Following are some well known TMJ/TMD symptoms, which can be treated or improved by a trained and experienced TMJ-dentist.

HEADACHES: CLASSIC MIGRAINE/TENSION-TYPE/CLUSTER HEADADHE

Headaches have 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. In men, the lifetime prevalence for headaches of any kind is 93%, and for women it is up to 99% (Rasmussen, 1991). Moreover, it is estimated that over 150 million days of lost work per year are attributable to headache, and despite the painful and disabling impact of headache, many patients do not seek medical care (Lipton, 1994).

The International Headache Society classified headaches into 13 categories, and it has been known that there are over 300 entities cause headache, and concluded that there is non a "headache differential diagnosis which is entirely satisfactory". 

Pain mechanisms and theories are well researched, numerous medications are developed, state of the art equipments are invented, various treatment protocols are established for diagnosis and treatment for headaches. However, millions of people still suffer from various types of headaches everyday without knowing what to do hoping that the pain will cease or go away some day.

                    "Are headaches really an incurable disease?" 

In dentistry, numerous articles have been published over the past 60 years, explaining how headaches can result from TMJ disorders and bad bite, and how a well educated and experienced 'TMJ-Dentist' can help to relieve this intractable pain by utilizing a simple treatment modality. (www.aacfp.org,  www.aaop.org)

We move our jaw over 2000 times a day (and night). When we chew, talk, swallow, and move head, upper and lower teeth come together and brace the jaw against the skull. If anyone has dental distress such as; bad bite, multiple missing teeth, deep bite, poor dental work or injury, accident, major surgery, habitual bad posture, or congenital under development it displaces the TMJs from its balanced position, compresses the nerves in the TM joint spaces and strains the jaw and neck muscles.

If TMJ and neck muscles receive constant strain beyond its adaptive capacity, it causes dysfunction and pain through the Trigeminal nerve and occipital nerve, which is the most common nerve to cause headache. An American Medical Association study illustrates that neck muscle contraction comprise about 90% of all headaches.

At TMJ, Head & Neck Pain Center, hundreds of chronic headache patients, who did not respond to  conventional therapy, pharmacotherapy, and other treatment modalities are relieved from their chronic headache in short time after treatment started. 

Once the relationship between symptom/function and TMD is identified, in most cases, a splint is fabricated.  A properly fabricated and accurately adjusted splint nullifies Trigeminal nerve and Occipital nerve activities, normalizes the muscle activities and eliminates headache pain. 

Note: The following is "Important Safety Information" regarding ALSUMA (Triptans headache medication). 

"In controlled studies in migraine patients with sumatriptan injection, the most common adverse reactions were: tingling; dizziness/vertigo; warm/hot sensation; flushing; pressure sensation; feeling of heaviness; burning sensation; numbness; feeling of tighteness; chest discomfort; musculoskeletal weakness; neck pain/stiffness; drowsiness/sedation; tightness in chest; feeling strange; tight feeling in head; discomfort in nasal cavity/sinuses; myalgia; headache, and jaw discomfort".

"In controlled clinical trials assessing sumatriptan injection as treatment in patients with cluster headaches, the most common adverse events compared with placebo were paresthesia; nausea and vomiting; and bronchospasm".

 

CHRONIC NECK PAIN: 

Another common symptom of TMJ disorder is chronic neck pain. When the TMJ components are displaced and disordered due to any cause, the jaw and neck muscles become distracted and shortened and forced to over work to keep the balance and function. These neck muscles become tense and stress the occipital nerves (nerves on the back of the neck), which causing chronic neck pain. 

There are various therapy modalities for neck pain including: chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy, acupuncture/acupressure, deep tissue massage, stretch exercise. There also are mumerous muscle relaxant, pain medications, various injection modalities, and surgery to control pain.

At TMJ, Head & Neck Pain Center, hunderds of chronic neck pain patients are relieved from their pain after corrected their TMJ disorders. Once the relationship between symptom/function and TMD is identified, in most cases, a splint is fabricated.  A properly fabricated and accurately adjusted splint nullifies Occipital nerve activities, normalizes the muscle activities and eliminates neck pain. 

 

CLICKING/POPPING: 

If the movement of the condyle and disc in the TMJ socket is disturbed, restricted or limited it generate  clicking, popping and grating sound. These symptoms  are called 'Internal Derangement of the TMJ' and accompanies various other symptoms: jaw pain, limited mouth opening, pain when chewing, bite feel off, earache, ringing in the ear, loss of balance, etc. 

                          

When the disordered, disturbed, and pathologic condition of the TMJ compartments are treated, realigned, reestablished into a physiologic functional position, not only clicking/popping sound will go away, but also other symptoms will be relieved and function will be improved.  

 

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. 

Often times, just relieving the pressure from the earhole by raising up the vertical dimension (bite relationship between upper and lower arch) and balance the bite can relieve symptom and improve function.  

   

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 known treatment modalities and unpredictable treatment outcome, not many healthcare practitioners are willing to challenge this unusual symptom. 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 innervated to the Teeth and TMJ.  Because trigeminal neuralgia is caused by irritated and triggered trigeminal nerves, malocclusion and TMJ disorder are the main nerve distressing factors. If we are able to establish the TMJ to its physiological functional position and balance the occlusion to various jaw movement and body movement, it can quiet the trigeminal nerve activity and the pain will be successfully relieved.

The Resultant Force Vector Technique can identify the occlusal discrepancy to various jaw and body movement and fine tune the bite up to 1/100 mm accuracy.   

 

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.

It has been well researched and proven fact that the "TMJ Disorder and bad bite" is the major cause of a broken circuit to ANS through Trigeminal Nervous System (www.aacfp.org).  If we can remove the causative dental distress and re-establish physiological functions to the ANS, fibromyalgia can be alleviated within a short period of time 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. In this case, symptoms may not be relieved until proper bite/TMJ relationship is re-established. 

A properly fabricated and accurately adjusted splint re-position the bite and TMJ in its physiological position, nullifies nerve activities relieve symptoms.  

 

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER/DYSFUNCTION OF THE BODY:

Our body is an ultimate living machine, which can perform better than any living creature in the universe.  The musculoskeletal system is the thriving factor for you to enjoy golf, dancing, sports, work-out, sexual performance, and keep balanced posture. 

Without well aligned bone structure, proper muscle tone, good quality of nutrition, good night's sleep, and stress free emotional environment we cannot expect peak functional performance.  

If you experience loss of balance, unstable gait, head forward 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., you may have a TMJ disorder. 

   

If the bite can be corrected and the TMJ can be balanced 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, sleep apnea-  all have to be considered as well.  

However, the most influential factor is structural balance. Balancing the body structure and establishing proper body chemistry is the most effective proven reatment modality. If you have bite problem, it perpetuates into TMJ and influences the mastication, digestion, and enzyme production, which can cause inadequate absorption/assimilation, and leading to a lack of energy and chronic fatigue.

 

Movement Disorders/Parkinson's Disease: