People that experience headaches for a longer period of time, toothaches, jaw pains etc. it might be a good idea to get themselves checked out for TMJ pain. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joints and these are the connections between the skull and the lower jaw. This connection is secured by muscles and ligaments.
TMJ pain usually occurs when the is a TMJ dislocation or disorder. This can not only cause pain but also ringing in the ears and neck pain as well.
How to relieve TMJ pain?
TMJ can be quite inconvenient but in most cases, it can be resolved pretty quickly and easily. Surgery can be the last resort when all other methods of treatment have failed. But before we get to that, here are some simple, yet effective ways you can ease your TMJ pain.
TMJ pain can be minimized by improving your posture
You might not know this, but improper posture is the most common cause of the pain. When you work long hours, make sure that you’re sitting in a chair with a back support. This can greatly alleviate the pain. Furthermore, you should also take frequent breaks from sitting or standing.
Aside form this, there are other methods you can use to improve your posture:
- Make sure that you sit upright when driving or performing other activities
- Avoid cramped spaces
- Use pillows to support your back
Lower your stress level
Aside from back posture, another frequent cause of TMJ pain is stress. If you’re dealing with a lot of stress, try to minimize it. You can use medication, exercise, go for a run or even just of a walk. You can also try and do yoga because there are good positions which can help you with TMJ pain.
Lack for sleep could cause TMJ Pain
A very important aspect of healthy living is getting the right quantity and quality of sleep. For minimizing pain cause by TMJ, we recommend that you sleep on your back and use comfortable pillows. The goal is to minimize the strain on your neck and jaw and also to provide a comfortable position for your neck. But if you’re a person who prefers sleeping on his/her back, you can. Just make sure that you don’t put your hand under your jaw.
Kick the bad habits
There are also some bad habits that can cause TMJ pain, for example:
- Pushing your tongue against your teeth
- Biting your nails
- Chewing your lips and cheeks
- Teeth grinding
- Resting your jaw on your hands for a longer period of time
Use compresses
If you notice that your jaw is swollen, you should try and use cold compresses. But if you notice that there’s no swelling but your muscles are stiff, then use warm compresses. The warmth should improve blood circulation and relax the muscles.
Jaw exercise
The best and simplest way to prevent to minimize TMJ pain is to do daily jaw exercises. The exercises will not only prevent your muscle from getting “lazy” (it will keep them fresh, strong and mobile) but they will also promote good blood flow which will help reduce the stiffness.
