If your TMJ has been acting up and causing you a whole lot of pain, then these tips will help you feel a whole lot better in short order.
Tip: Alternate Heat and Ice on the TMJ and Surrounding Area
When your TMJ area is screaming out in pain, you likely reach for either the heating pad or an ice pack; however, an even better option is to alternate between the two. Using ice helps to reduce both pain and inflammation. And, using heat on your TMJ and surrounding muscles helps to relax them as well as promoting blood circulation.
Tip: Take an Anti-Inflammatory Medication
If you are able to tolerate over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin and Aleve, then these are the best options for TMJ pain. TMJ pain is caused by inflammation in the TMJ joint and in the muscles that surround it. While you can control some of the inflammation with heat and ice, anti-inflammatory medications do a better job and will last for many hours versus the shorter relief time you will get using ice or heat.
Tip: Don't Sleep on Your Stomach
If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, then this can be one of the factors that is making your TMJ so sore. When you sleep on your stomach, it forces your neck into an angle where it puts your jaw into an unnatural position. The combination of the unnatural neck and jaw positions will exasperate your TMJ pain and can easily be alleviated by simply sleeping on your side or back.
Tip: Avoid Further Irritating Your TMJ Condition
There are many things you can do in your day-to-day life that will make your TMJ pain worse. For example:
- chewing gum
- eating hard foods
- eating sticky foods
- yawning widely
- biting fingernails
In addition, it is important to avoid bad habits such as chewing on pencils or toothpicks because this will add extra stress to your TMJ and increase your pain level.
Tip: Visit a TMJ Specialist and Investigate Your TMJ Treatment Options
If you have tried all of the tips above and your TMJ pain is still out of control, then it is important you find a physician who specializes in treating people with TMJ issues. The doctors who see a lot of patients with this condition tend to be more informed of the newest and best TMJ treatment options currently available.
If you would like to learn more, contact companies like The Alpher Center.
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