Chronic Pain

As you know, I am new to this community and enjoy reading all your situations - can't believe how much some of you suffer!! I wish you much relief and soon!!!

I had my first chriopractor appt yesterday and I want to share the information with you!!

I was AMAZED at what this dr. could tell me just from my assessment. The TMJ was the last straw for my body and it gave me pain so I would seek treatment of some kind. Thank god I went to her. Because of that freak baseball bat incident when I was approx. 5 yrs old my body has adapted and coped for 35 years. She took a pizza cutter looking instrument that had teeth on it and ran it down my hand, palm side up. First on my left (bad side) and then my right - I could FEEL the right side so much better!! My body was already slowing down on the nerve feelings?!!! My stance was off, my face is off, my neck and head sit off - she was actually excited??? that there was so much with me to fix - typical doctor!! LOL No, really, she was really nice and everything she said made COMPLETE sense. My headaches, that I thought were hormonal, are connected, my fatigue that I know is anemia is also connected, just everything "off" is connected. She was very knowledgeable and informative and really spent the time listening to me.

I'm really excited to go to her and see the changes. Again, everything she said made sense and I feel like someone finally understands. I went to my general gp doctor about 2 months ago complaining about fatigue, and some other changes and she just did a blood test and everything came back normal. This is great BUT it DOESN'T explain what IS wrong. And she doesn't do anything proactive to try and figure out WHAT is wrong. This chriopractor just nailed everything on the head. I've never gone to one before because I thought it was all bones and cracking and nonsense but I don't believe that any longer.

After the treatment she said that I may experience some pain in places that I haven't had pain in a while - like past surgery or something. Sure enough, within 10 minutes of leaving, I had pain in my left back - kidney pain - I suffered with kidney stones 2 years back and had to have surgery. I had that pain all night. Feel great this morning, but still have the cronic pain in my jaw.

If any of you have coverage, get a highly recommended chriopractor. Here the cost is $25 first assessment, all other visits are $15. That is if you had to pay up front. My plan through dh work gives us 90%, which is fantastic. I have no coverage of my own because I'm self employed and work from home. Just try it. Alot of your symptons and complaints are all connected and this might be an answer that you haven't tried yet.

I'll keep you posted and thanks for reading this - it was a little long.

Karen

glad to hear you're excited about the upcoming treatment.

I've been to three chiropractors, including a NUCCA chiro. My current chiro is a great guy who does do muscle work and adjusts my jaw some, but none of the relief he gives seems to last long. I enjoy the visits though.

Thats too bad - 3 chiros??? My doctor specializes in your spine, nerve endings and cp fluid and how this is all connected and works together. Its called the Koren method. She is fantastic. I have to tell you - the pain is so infrequent now I am so overjoyed!!!!!

I'm going twice a week for a few more weeks and then I'll be down to one day a week.

Do any of you crack your jaw? This is particularly bad. I've been doing it for so many years thats its almost involuntary. But its really not good. It stretches out the ligaments so that your body (jaw) doesn't go back to "normal". She is so very interesting to talk to.

Karen

Hi karen It's cindy YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE someone is paying attention!!! oh I was so happy to read this post. i go to the chiro all the time. a tmj condition can be being caused by a neck. I hope you have good LUCK with it.there is only one problem.. you will have to keep going. when my chiro adjusts my neck.. i can feel the bones leaving my sore jaw area. it's amazing. love cindy aka Dippy .... ps just trying out this new site

Hi again. I'm cindy.I'm sitting here today bored so i have to add something to this tmj board. I go to the chiropracter for years for my jaw-neck. They say you can not fix the jaw until you address the neck,and they whole body alignment for that matter. but anyway after 5 years i picked up alot.... hanging out there at the chiro's 3 times a week.i set out to investigate whether i was doing the right thing for myself, because if i wasn't i couldn't tell others about it.i wanted to see if i believed in this approach(chiropractic)and after talking to lots and lots of women with tmj..... going to lots of chiro's over the years. i fully believe it!!! now i can tell that the neck bones are actually moving into the jaw area... but for years i had so much pain i could NOT tell. it felt JUST LIKE THE JAW. it's because they are so close to each other. anyway sometimes folks will say well chiropractic care doesn't last... but at least it gives relief, and everyone needs releif. my chiropracter says this: at least you are NOT on 10 medicines. and i have to agree. being on all those medicines are worse for a person in the long run, and medicines give alot of side effects too. but i am still investigating, and learning, but if anyone has any questions... i do know alot about it. just my thoughts.. love cindy

Thanks Cindy- I've tried chiro and go to an osteopath once a month. My neck and shoulders have been tightening up since i ended PT to the point it feels like someone is standing on them. Everything is definitely linked. Good to see you here- Deb

Be careful everyone.. the forum police might arrive to tell you not to recommend any treatments.

Hey Karen,

I just posted up a thread in the General Discussion area about my TMJ Chriodontic experience tonight - have a read when you get the chance too.

I felt the same with my session tonight, Adeline was so knowledgeable and explained how everything works and whats going on and will however see more once I have a full spinal scan done.

Im like you going twice a week for about a month and then after that should be fine to do once a week.

I thought chiro's were also about only cracking backs and see ya later! this TMJ chirodontic did so many various things on me tonight just to get me started and assess me...I couldnt keep up with her hahaha.

I was too scared to ask her if there will be any bone cracking... what did yours say to you Karen, will she crack you sometimes? heheh im in hope that its a no for me

Write soon!
MissMinx from Australia

I am so glad you all have had chiro. success. I went to a reputable person, referred to by a friend who is an RMT and ended up in the hospital in complete spasms! She barely did anything, some clicky thing and stretches to my back and sides. My face, neck and lower back were tight and painful when I went in but following 15 minutes of gentle treatment, the spasms were out of control. I am scared to try that again. I am sticking with neck and back massage (once I can put my face in that front forward position again as its far too painful right now).
Best wishes for continued benefits with this form of therapy. Kim (aka Tinkerbell)

Tinkerbell,

Thats a horrible experience...

What are your general symptoms of TMJ on a daily basis? Im curious to see what you experience. Have you had surgery etc? How long have you had your TMJ for?

MissMinx

Thanks so much for your kind words. I have had TMJ (diagnosed) 15 years but haven't had pain that whole time. I posted my history on my introduction so you could read it there if you like (its in my profile too). I have had reconstructive surgery involving breaking my jaw, repositionning and cutting out pieces to re-establish my bite. My chin has rods in it and that is really how technical I can explain things short of reading my photocopied file, lol! That surgery was in 1991. More recently in 2004 I had arthroscopy and 1.5 weeks ago had arthrocentesis. The arthroscopy made things worse, arthroscentisis seems to have improved my opening but I am in a great deal of pain, more pain than before in my ears. I go see my surgeon on Tuesday.
My daily pain consists of on-going throbbing throughout my cheeks, dull early in the morning, progressing to a tight, pulling feeling through my cheek muscles and concentrated sharp pain at my joints. I have zapping pains from time to time in my joints, ears and under my chin. My pain peaks late afternoon. I am never pain-free. My good days are moderate, throbbing pain, no spasms, no headache. My bad days are complete pain, aura, throbbing temples, spasms, etc....I am in a lot of pain writing this so being descriptive is fairly easy! I do, however, keep a good attitude and try to rise above the feeling. I do take pain meds and take care of myself (soft diet, excercise, etc.) to assist in reducing those really bad days. I think that about covers it. Thanks so much for asking. This is so therepeutic, who knew!!! TTFN, Kim

Hey Kim,

Oh dear I really thought I had it bad.. When I hear your story I just feel like I shouldnt whinge about my situation as much as i do.. I havent gone through 1/4 of what you have yet Im finding it so hard to keep a smile on my face every day.....

I am so so sorry to hear about the road you have been on.. Its such a horrible thing!

Why cant it be as simple as breaking an arm or leg and for it to heal!

This jaw causes so many complications! I never knew about TMJ before I got it. Im also realising talking on these boards that no 2 ppl have the exact same situation going on - I just know that we're all suffering to some degree and have some similarities and we just have to remember we're not alone.

Boy I wish someone would just come up with some answers to relieve us all real soon..

Kim, who do you live with? Do you have lots of family support around you etc?

Cheers from
MissMinx

Hello all:
I just signed up for this board while doing research for TMJ. I've been in a tremendous amount of pain for several months. I was diagnosed with TMJ about 3 years ago. Not doing too badly until I bit into a tootsie roll on Halloween and the pain has been gradually moving from my jaw, to ear and now to my throat. I've had headaches, including migraines and ringing in my ears. I wasn't getting anywhere with my doctor so I thought I'd research on my own and I found this board.

Has anyone had any relief with rolfing? I just called a local wellness facility in my area who does massage, rolfing, acupuncture and chiropractic. They suggested that I meet with their rolfing practioner. I'll be getting a standard deep tissue massage tomorrow to maybe relieve some of the tension and then meeting with the rolfing practioner.

Thanks for listening.