While standing in line at the grocery store tonight, I spotted a magazine called Alternative Medicine… so I picked it up and scanned the cover to see what was inside this month’s edition. Articled include “33 Proven Remedies”, “The Menopause Diet”, “Bounce Back from Chronic Pain”… hmmm, my interest piqued when there it was… “The nightly grind of TMJ”. Curious, and admittedly a bit irritated I threw the magazine down with my weekly dose of prepared mashed potatoes, eggs and soup.
The article starts out, [“When the preacher said, “You may kiss the bride”, MB felt so afraid a kiss would trigger jaw pain she offered her groom her cheek”.] While you might think this would continue as one woman’s fight… it was actually worth the read. For the layperson that doesn’t understand how TMJ has slipped through the crack, or someone new to the disorder, it is both informative and articulate.
Essentially, TMJ is a condition that causes pain in and around the temple, cheek and ear, but recent research shows that those who suffer are far more likely to develop chronic sensory disorders like Fibromyalgia, RSD, CRPS, IBS, migraines or tension headaches. Some studies indicate that this could be a genetically based disregulation of the body’s pain processing system. Simply put, the pain is amplified.
In January of 2006, The NIDCR (National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research) in conjunction with the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill launched a 19 million dollar study known as OPPERA (www.oppera.org). The study is designed to help identify risk determinants and help predict individual susceptibility to TMJD. With several satellites throughout the east coast, the study hopes to include 3200 participants over a 7-year period.
Finally, things are starting to change. Hopefully as this study progresses, they will identify the biomarkers necessary to validate diagnostics, and the science to back up a treatment protocol.
At any given time in the United States, over 10,000,000 people are being treated for TMJD. Of that 10mm, only 15% with move ahead with an arthrocentisis; moreover, only 5% of that 15% will require further surgical intervention. Although only 5% will move ahead with advanced surgical procedures, the numbers are huge… and a bit concerning given the lack of protocol. Something needs to change for us. Playing TMJ roulette really isn’t an option. I think Terri Cowley of the TMJ Association said it best:
“After decades of unproven and often irreversible treatments, including silicone and Teflon jaw implants that broke apart causing serious jaw damage and systemic problems, we are now in a state of transition. At least we are no longer being told that we are crazy, and we are finally beginning to see the 21st century research address this problem.”
Pain is no longer a symptom of something. It was given disorder/syndrome status several years ago when the mechanisms were identified. It is real, and can cause real tissue damage. Whether estrogen levels can cause the tissues to become lax and trigger the response, or we are genetically predisposed is yet to be determined. We simply don’t know at this point. What we do know is that pain causes tissue injury setting in motion an array of systemic/sensory responses. However trite it may seem, find a way to breathe………. The little things do help.
Things to consider in conjunction with your current treatment plan are:
Acupuncture
Sauna/ Moist Heat
Massage
Relaxation/ Meditation (Yoga, Reiki)
Meyer’s Cocktail
Guided Imagery
Hypnosis
Switch to whole, not prepared foods
TCM/ Naturopath/ Herbal Remedies
Lisa
