Pearls of TMJD Wisdom

Every day is a new day. Do not think today predicts tomorrow. Many times, people that are battling a long-time painful injury think that a difficult day is the start of a downward spiral and that is rarely the case. Ebbs and flows are normally just that. When you are on a good program that addresses mobility, strength, posture, and balance, the natural course is to improve.

Enjoy life despite your pain. Chronic pain is controlled significantly by our perceptions, attention, and mood. Spend time with people you love to be with. It is amazing what a fun time can do for us. Find out what triggers your pain.

Write a pain diary and document what you were doing around the clock. Once you have done that, for a week or two analyze what you did, what you ate, how much sleep you got, what chair you were on etc. Most times postures are the biggest pain generators (car rides, computer work, phones) and are the worst for causing increase in neck and TMJ pain. However, I have seen food, weather, and alcohol all as conan tributing factors. Knowledge is power when it comes to healing and a pain diary gives you tons of information.

Think outside the box. I know a woman who is very short, and she noted TMJ pain and headaches riding or driving in the new car she bought. She noted that due to her height, the headrest pushed her forward. We went onto Amazon and found a lumbar rest that she ordered and now her head is not pushed forward because the headrest space provided for her lumbar places the head rest effectively further back. Car rides are much better now. **I will list the lumbar rest on the products page on our website.**

If you have TMJ pain and have not addressed your posture what are you waiting for?

Posture is the single most significant deficiency in nearly all clients with TMJD. When you are on a good program that addresses mobility, strength, posture, balance, and breathing the natural course is to improve. You need to stay the course. Consistency and persistence are essential for any self-improvement. Now, do not confuse this. If something you are doing is consistently making you feel worse don’t keep doing it. Every piece of advice does not work for everyone. You must use some logic.

Do you think you will start a TMJD Diary??

• Yes!
• No.

Spend time doing things you enjoy with people you care about. :) Dr. Josh