Klarinet Archive - Posting 000140.txt from 1997/12

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Advice for TMJ?
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 12:39:54 -0500

On Thu, 4 Dec 1997, Jennifer Wetzel wrote:

> Hi! I was wondering if anyone out there has TMJ or knows any musicians
> who do and what they have done to allieviate their pain. I am a junior in
> college and play in Woodwind Quintet, Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. With
> practice time and all, I play MANY hours a day. THis causes me much pain
> and makes playing very difficult on some days. My clarinet teacher does
> not know anyone with this, but he has been working with my embouchure to
> help relieve the pressure placed on my jaw while playing. I started
> playing double lip about a month ago and this has helped some.
> I have also been to see a specialist. I am taking pain killers, doing
> excercises, and will be getting splints (appliances) to wear in January.
> But, I was just curious if any of you might have this and any suggestions
> you may have to help my playing. I would really appreciate any advice!
>
> Jennifer
>
>
I too developed TMJ when I was about 20; now I am *older* ;+) and I have
been pain-free for years (my jaw still pops one side before the other; I
think it's double-jointed or something too).

I tried two different kinds of "appliances" that were like mouthguards. I
found that I was trying to eat them in my sleep and the discomfort of a
foreign object actually made the physical tension worse. (As they say,
your mileage may vary).

Your jaw joint should not be in an extended position or physically tensed
while you are playing. My problem was most likely caused by learning to
play the basset horn, with its larger mouthpiece and consequently more
extended open jaw position. I get headaches from playing both basset horn
and bass clarinet, so unfortunately I don't get to play them! I had to
decide to work on the smaller clarinets instead (A, Bb, C and Eb).

Your best bet for medical treatment is a dentist who knows about TMJ (ask
specifically if they have studied this condition).

I also find that using more upper lip pressure (which is hard because the
muscles are smaller) might help relieve some of the jaw tension. DO NOT
CONTINUE TO PLAY if you are tensing -- blow out your chops like a brass
player would and take a break!

Good luck -- I am living proof that this problem can be solved! (God, I
feel like a fossil for saying that! Ha!)

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu