Chronic Pain

I have been treating for TMJ/TMD for over a year now and my dentist is finally referring me for physical therapy in hope that I can get off some meds and get some jaw motion restored. I was just curious, what can I expect when I visit the physical therapist? What kinds of things will they do and how much will this hurt? My doc said to expect a lot more pain for the first couple of weeks and then hopefully I will start to feel better

Hi Gracie,

My dentist actually referred me to a Chriopractor and its been awesome. After 1 1/2 weeks, I'm pain free - honestly!!!! I am extremely pleased with the progress and never knew how complex our bodies are and how it works together.

I'd recommend a Chriopractor but have no experience with the physical therapist. Good luck!!

Karen

I've tried both the chiro and the PT. The exercises from the PT weren't that bad. I was major locked when I started so he didn't want to push it. Mostly, what he did was a form of myofacial massage and ultra sounds. To be honest though I didn't notice much difference. I have a tens unit at home and I use it alot, along with the heat and ice. The chiro worked my neck alot, to help with my migraines and she used this devise to put my joint back into place, as it was out "again". I had alot of pain after each treatment, but in the long run, I think that was where I saw my most improvement. Though unfortunately it didn't help the migraines either. I have neuropathic pain from nerve damage which seems to be causing the migraines and looks like meds are about the only way to go for me. I'm going to be trying a fruit juice very soon. Supposed to be very good for joint pain and I'll keep everyone updated on how it works for me.

I've been having PT for TMJ for the last few weeks. Same as Chrissy said, they start with ultrasound therapy and then do various massaging and stretching maneuvers.

The biggest thing it's doing for me is relaxing the bad headaches I've been having. That in itself makes PT worth it for me, although it only lasts a couple/few days afterwards.

It has reduced the tension in the muscles from the jaw joints to my chin and my neck feels a little better. One of the therapists thinks I'm speaking more clearly now, although my daytime splint has been modified recently, so I'm not sure which is responsible. On the down side, I think it's making the pain in the joints, the grinding, and the pain in my ears worse. Either that or I just notice it more. It's a fair trade to lower the headache pain.

I don't expect it to be a long term solution for me, but I figured it was worth a try and it'll at least help control my symptoms until I get insurance to agree to surgery or find some other potential solution.

Alex,
Just wanted to throw a thought in here. It may not be that it's making your joint, and ear pain worse, nor the grinding either. Mind you, that this is just MHO, but I have found that when I have a migraine the pain from it overrides all my other pains at that time. It could also be the same for you...that you are just noticing the other pains more because you aren't having the migraines. I am glad to hear that PT is working out some for you, and hopefully they'll put together some treatment that will ease the other pains too, which sounds to me are coming from the grinding. The more I grind and clench the worse the joint pain and everything else associated with it.
Take care Alex!
In My Thoughts and Prayers,

Hi- I finished PT about a month ago and could have had 3 more weeks from the MVA insurance but she felt I hadn't made progress so didn't want to do it. She was doing US and massage. I think it took the pain level down for a couple of days at a time and I had it twice a week and was working 3 10 hour days. Since then, I had to increase days at work to 4 and have had more neck pain as well as the weakness from the botox which has gotten better each day. Head, neck, jaw pain is just a drag but whatever form of hel p we can find makes it a little more bearable! I'm probably going to find a good massage therapist and get one when I can afford it- Deb

quote:

Originally posted by Chrissy:It may not be that it's making your joint, and ear pain worse, nor the grinding either. Mind you, that this is just MHO, but I have found that when I have a migraine the pain from it overrides all my other pains at that time. It could also be the same for you.

That very well could be, didn't think of that.

Thanks for mentioning it.

Missing PT- I finished PT about a month ago, symptoms have increased since then. Pain, stiffness, weakness. I could have had 3 more weeks but she didn't see progress overall. As Alex said, it was pain control for me. That and having to increase work an extra day and the botox side effects have made it a tough month. I'm off to see another dentist in Boston this morning. Hope everyone has a low pain day- Deb

Thanks all for your replies. Do any of you suffer with neck pain in addition to your TMD? I have my first PT appointment on Thursday and so want a nice hot pack! I went off my meds as they mask my pain. I want to be able to tell my PT what is hurting. Not a good week....

Hi- for me TMJ and neck go hand in hand. I saw a dentist yesterday who basically patted me on the head and said your teeth don't interact with anything- they need to be fixed but it's not going to fix your neck. I was out of there so fast- besides his crowns were 2000.00 apiece not counting the post!- Good luck- I do the same and hold meds so PT or MD can see me as I really am- Deb

Yea, I get neck pain too. My physical therapist explained how some of the neck muscles interact with the facial muscles and why they get cranky. It was interesting. Everything is all tied together in different ways.

Hi- yeah- all we need are head transplants! They do all interact, the dentist was basically setting me up to not call if I have any problems. i'm getting frustrated with the field as I'm in constant pain in my right jaw and neck from it all- Deb

DebV,
My dentist is trained by the Pankey Institute. He has a wonderful manner and really treats me as a member of my treatment team. He told me I do not need crowns after my previous dentist told me I needed several. My previous dentist totally missed my TMJ diagnosis. My current dentist diagnosed me based on my history alone, the first time he saw me. He has done alot to help me, but can't do the PT that I need now. I can't promise that all Pankey docs are as good as mine, but it might be worth having a look. www.pankeydentist.org

Well, I had my first PT appt. today. She said she went easy on me. I can tell you I hurt more now than before my appointment! She found sore spots I did not know I had. She did massage, stretching and Ultrasound, and gave me some exercises to do at home. Time will tell.

quote:

Originally posted by Alex:
Yea, I get neck pain too. My physical therapist explained how some of the neck muscles interact with the facial muscles and why they get cranky. It was interesting. Everything is all tied together in different ways.

OH YES.... I cannot get massages anymore without walking out in tears..I have golf ball size knots in my neck (at the base where my neck and shoulders come together).... My shoulders are where I host all my pain for my TMJ.. If ever I could break thru those golf balls then I may find relief.. But after 10 years, I've not found my remedy (yup, I try moist heat, Icy hot patches, massage etc).... I'm thinking I MAY try accupuncture... We'll see.. But Alex is right on.. It's ALL connected.. I even have a ciatica (sp) issue as a result of my tmj - nice hu !?!?!?

Tami