Possible TMJ/TMD problems..
Discussion
Been having a problem with daily headaches for the past 3 or 4 years, in which time I've had several appointments with the GP lead headache clinic in our area (basically a longer appointment with a GP who then reviews your case with a consultant) and a couple of MRIs which didn't give any clear cause. Diagnosis was a very helpful "hemicrania continua" which doesn't respond to medication.
I insisted on a sleep study which confirmed my suspicion that I have severe sleep apnoea. I've never felt sleepy during the day, just lacking in energy and concentration. This has only improved a little, despite now using CPAP every night.
I'm still having the headaches and they're still centered around the right temple. I also have a dull ache in the right jaw joint, which clicks and crunches regularly, along with a stiff neck and ringing in the right ear. When it's extremely painful, it also impacts on my vision in the right eye a bit.
I've seen my GP who just said it sounds like a jaw problem, so I need to see a dentist.. got an emergency NHS appointment (for 3 weeks time!) with one.
Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences and, if so, whether they were indeed TMJ or something else.
I insisted on a sleep study which confirmed my suspicion that I have severe sleep apnoea. I've never felt sleepy during the day, just lacking in energy and concentration. This has only improved a little, despite now using CPAP every night.
I'm still having the headaches and they're still centered around the right temple. I also have a dull ache in the right jaw joint, which clicks and crunches regularly, along with a stiff neck and ringing in the right ear. When it's extremely painful, it also impacts on my vision in the right eye a bit.
I've seen my GP who just said it sounds like a jaw problem, so I need to see a dentist.. got an emergency NHS appointment (for 3 weeks time!) with one.
Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences and, if so, whether they were indeed TMJ or something else.
Ah, should have mentioned.. I've been seeing an osteopath as well.
The possibility it might be TMJ was his suggestion - he wants me checked by a dentist before he'll do any work around the jaw.
He's done a lot of work on my spine and right shoulder as that area was pretty inflexible - I couldn't turn my head fully to that side before he started.
I've now got normal movement in my neck and a far more flexible spine thanks to regular sessions with him.
I have noticed that the headaches have become more focused in the temple/joint area over the course of my treatments. His view is that the jaw is the source of all the issues and the rest of the tension was the body reacting to it.
The possibility it might be TMJ was his suggestion - he wants me checked by a dentist before he'll do any work around the jaw.
He's done a lot of work on my spine and right shoulder as that area was pretty inflexible - I couldn't turn my head fully to that side before he started.
I've now got normal movement in my neck and a far more flexible spine thanks to regular sessions with him.
I have noticed that the headaches have become more focused in the temple/joint area over the course of my treatments. His view is that the jaw is the source of all the issues and the rest of the tension was the body reacting to it.
I suffer from posture problem which affects my neck,jaw,shoulders and upper back.
It’s a bit of a long slog to try and correct as my muscles are all over the place it’s certainly worth seeing a physio to see if that’s an possible cause for you certainly some manipulation around the neck and upper body releases a lot tension and I’ve found any headaches disappear.
I also checked in with my dentist who thought I may have been grinding my teeth but it turns out that tongue is also tense a lot of the time which can cause many issues upper body!
It’s a bit of a long slog to try and correct as my muscles are all over the place it’s certainly worth seeing a physio to see if that’s an possible cause for you certainly some manipulation around the neck and upper body releases a lot tension and I’ve found any headaches disappear.
I also checked in with my dentist who thought I may have been grinding my teeth but it turns out that tongue is also tense a lot of the time which can cause many issues upper body!
rscott said:
Ah, should have mentioned.. I've been seeing an osteopath as well.
The possibility it might be TMJ was his suggestion - he wants me checked by a dentist before he'll do any work around the jaw.
He's done a lot of work on my spine and right shoulder as that area was pretty inflexible - I couldn't turn my head fully to that side before he started.
I've now got normal movement in my neck and a far more flexible spine thanks to regular sessions with him.
I have noticed that the headaches have become more focused in the temple/joint area over the course of my treatments. His view is that the jaw is the source of all the issues and the rest of the tension was the body reacting to it.
Masseter or temporalis hypertonicity are not necessarily the result of TMJ problems, they can also be the cause of a tender capsule if you are posturing your mandible when asleep or bruxing.The possibility it might be TMJ was his suggestion - he wants me checked by a dentist before he'll do any work around the jaw.
He's done a lot of work on my spine and right shoulder as that area was pretty inflexible - I couldn't turn my head fully to that side before he started.
I've now got normal movement in my neck and a far more flexible spine thanks to regular sessions with him.
I have noticed that the headaches have become more focused in the temple/joint area over the course of my treatments. His view is that the jaw is the source of all the issues and the rest of the tension was the body reacting to it.
Try to find a dentist who has an interest in occlusion.
DocJock said:
Masseter or temporalis hypertonicity are not necessarily the result of TMJ problems, they can also be the cause of a tender capsule if you are posturing your mandible when asleep or bruxing.
Try to find a dentist who has an interest in occlusion.
The dentist I'm seeing claims to have an interest in joint/alignment issues, so hopefully they're a good choice, but open to recommendations of an alternative in the Colchester/Ipswich area.Try to find a dentist who has an interest in occlusion.
Don't waste your time with gp's or dentists, tmd is always the effect not the cause, also MRI won't tell you anything. Are your glutes firing properly? Is the area at the bottom of your back just above the iliac crest (the bony ridge area above your buttocks extremely tender?), if so the odds are your gluteus minor muscle is switched off/weak. This causes the lower half of your body to switch off, and leads to chest breathing, tight trapezius, then like dominoes, tmj, tos, headaches, lack of energy, it just goes on and on. It took me five years to find this out after finally seeing an osteopath that actually examined me. This is for reasons that are inexplicable almost impossible in the uk, your typical gp about as much use as a wet lettuce.
This guy is really good and explains it well.
https://youtu.be/DWmGArQBtFI
This guy is really good and explains it well.
https://youtu.be/DWmGArQBtFI
markcoznottz said:
Don't waste your time with gp's or dentists, tmd is always the effect not the cause, also MRI won't tell you anything. Are your glutes firing properly? Is the area at the bottom of your back just above the iliac crest (the bony ridge area above your buttocks extremely tender?), if so the odds are your gluteus minor muscle is switched off/weak. This causes the lower half of your body to switch off, and leads to chest breathing, tight trapezius, then like dominoes, tmj, tos, headaches, lack of energy, it just goes on and on. It took me five years to find this out after finally seeing an osteopath that actually examined me. This is for reasons that are inexplicable almost impossible in the uk, your typical gp about as much use as a wet lettuce.
This guy is really good and explains it well.
https://youtu.be/DWmGArQBtFI
My osteopath is happy with lower back and neck - he's checked and worked them regularly already.This guy is really good and explains it well.
https://youtu.be/DWmGArQBtFI
He's pretty convinced the source of the problem is the jaw joint/muscle area, that's after very gentle manipulation of the jaw, with it clicking nicely each time...
rscott said:
Ah, should have mentioned.. I've been seeing an osteopath as well.
The possibility it might be TMJ was his suggestion - he wants me checked by a dentist before he'll do any work around the jaw.
He's done a lot of work on my spine and right shoulder as that area was pretty inflexible - I couldn't turn my head fully to that side before he started.
I've now got normal movement in my neck and a far more flexible spine thanks to regular sessions with him.
I have noticed that the headaches have become more focused in the temple/joint area over the course of my treatments. His view is that the jaw is the source of all the issues and the rest of the tension was the body reacting to it.
The general consensus is that it is almost never the jaw that is the source of pain, it is just being referred to that area. Do your little fingers hurt when you push them into your palm tightly? Any tightness in your forearms? You never said if your lower back above the buttocks was sore to the touch?. The possibility it might be TMJ was his suggestion - he wants me checked by a dentist before he'll do any work around the jaw.
He's done a lot of work on my spine and right shoulder as that area was pretty inflexible - I couldn't turn my head fully to that side before he started.
I've now got normal movement in my neck and a far more flexible spine thanks to regular sessions with him.
I have noticed that the headaches have become more focused in the temple/joint area over the course of my treatments. His view is that the jaw is the source of all the issues and the rest of the tension was the body reacting to it.
markcoznottz said:
The general consensus is that it is almost never the jaw that is the source of pain, it is just being referred to that area. Do your little fingers hurt when you push them into your palm tightly? Any tightness in your forearms? You never said if your lower back above the buttocks was sore to the touch?.
No, none of those issues. Lower back is fine now - there had been some tightness there originally, but that cleared after the first couple of sessions.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff