If you are one of the 10 million-plus Americans with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction), you probably already know that when it comes to TMJ dysfunction pain, it can be a full-time job finding relief. Over-the-counter painkillers may work temporarily, and for some not at all, and while neuromuscular orthodontics are a safe and effective method for treating TMJ dysfunction, some interim pain during treatment is completely normal. If you are looking for a more natural way to treat your TMJ dysfunction pain during your neuromuscular orthodontic treatment, here are some safe, natural options that some TMJ dysfunction sufferers have found effective. Compresses A warm compress will relax the muscles of the jaw surrounding the temporomandibular joint. Experts recommend using a warm compress on the jaw for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, twice a day, for TMJ dysfunction pain relief. If warm compresses aren’t doing the trick, you can also try cold compresses. Cold compresses will numb the muscles, alleviating some of the pain that way. Vitamins There are several vitamins that may be able to help alleviate some of the side effects of your TMJ dysfunction. The first is magnesium. Magnesium can be taken as a supplement, but it can also be found naturally in a long list of foods, including leafy greens such as spinach and chard, as well as black beans, avocados, pumpkin seeds and more. Magnesium is said to help alleviate muscle tension, which can help relax the jaw in TMJ dysfunction patients. Another vitamin you can try is an Omega-3 supplement. Naturally found in some nuts and fish, Omega-3s are said to help reduce inflammation, including the inflammation of the joints, something that could alleviate some of your TMJ dysfunction pain. Massage Massaging your jaw can help reduce some of the muscle tension caused by your TMJ dysfunction, but if you would like to attempt this treatment please speak to Dr. George first to make sure you are both a good candidate and massaging the area properly. Experts recommend that those using massage techniques do so by rubbing the jaw and temples in a circular motion as you open and close your mouth very slowly. This can be done for 30 seconds at a time and repeated every four to six hours throughout the day. If you are interested in learning more about temporary relief of your TMJ dysfunction symptoms or you are ready for a more permanent solution with neuromuscular orthodontics, give Dr. George’s office a call at 724-220-2347.

A recent study was conducted to find new ways to bring some relief to sufferers of an increasingly common joint disorder. Temporomandibular joint disorder (or TMJD for short) is a condition where the temporomandibular joint of the jaw falls out of alignment and causes debilitating symptoms such as headaches, backaches, neck pain, ringing of the ears, jaw clicking, and the inability to open and close the mouth. The condition affects predominately women and is becoming more common among young people and millennials. The study, which was published by Bel Marra Health, has revealed that patients who suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder get the most relief from applying warm compresses to areas affected by TMJD and by special exercises and physical therapy. These methods were found to be more effective than other methods of treating temporomandibular joint disorder, such as prescription or over-the-counter pain medication or even trigger point therapy - and it's got some doctors scratching their heads. Wexford, Pennsylvania, dentist and neuromuscular orthodontic practitioner Dr. Alexandra George says it's easy to understand why some TMJD treatments may not be enough. "Though TMJ disorder starts in the temporomandibular joint, the pain is not always restricted to that one area," she says. "People with TMJ disorder often experience pain that radiates throughout the head, back and neck, so treating trigger points may not be enough. A more holistic approach such as physical therapy may be more effective." In her practice, George also incorporates orthodontic appliances as part of a holistic treatment program, something the study found effective combined with other methods as well as on its own. "This is why we recommend combining neuromuscular therapy with other treatments," says George. "Especially physical therapy and warm compresses." George is also careful to point out that how a patient finds relief from temporomandibular joint disorder also depends on what type of the disorder they are suffering from in the first place. That’s because there are many causes of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, but the major issues stem from two main areas: either the muscles or the joint itself. And, according to George, some treatments simply won’t cross over. "If the pain is in the muscle itself, we can treat the muscle, but if it's in the actual temporomandibular joint, then there are different methods for that as well," she says. George cites arthroscopy as a common treatment for joint damage and neuromuscular orthodontics to aid in realignment. "It’s a case-by-case basis, but there is unfortunately no one-size-fits-all miracle treatment or cure."