Klarinet Archive - Posting 000971.txt from 1999/04

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.us>
Subj: RE: [kl] TMJ treatment and playing
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 07:39:19 -0400

HI Cheryl,

My new mail software (MS Outlook) doesn't display a full page listing of
posts, so I have to read them individually, one after another. That's why
this reply is coming on top of the one I just sent you.

After reading your post about your jaw not being level, I had this very
same problem I was caused by the uneven wearing away of bone on the condyle
of the mandible. Where the lower jaw meets the uper jaw in front of the
ear, the bone is like a rounded off post. When one side is worn down more
than the other side, you are left with this uneven closure. In my case, this
is what was corrected by surgically breaking my jaw.

This may not be your problem, but it was mine. When I was first told that I
would need this drastic surgery, my first thought was to turn around and run
out the door. After years of terrible pain and agony, I submitted to the
knife. The surgery was a lot less uncomfortable than having the problem
that warranted the surgery. Not only am I free of the pain and discomfort
of the joint disease, but my face looks a whole lot better and my teeth all
touch in the right places. I can eat without the terrible crunching in my
jaw that would occur every time I would bite down on anything.

Nancy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cheryl [SMTP:n741@-----.ca]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 11:06 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] TMJ treatment and playing
>
> >On Wed, 21 Apr 1999, Cheryl wrote:
> >
> >> I have just been diagnosed with TMJ and have to have treatment (being
> >> fitted with an appliance) over the summer due to the migraines that are
> >> occuring. I will not be able to play for a couple of months as they
> are
> >> "unlearning" the habits that my muscles have learned over the years and
> are
> >> retraining them afterwards.
> >
> >I'm curious: with what "appliance" are you being fitted to
> >treat your TMJ? What type of doctor are you seeing? I've
> >had a couple of bouts with the problem, and went to a chiro-
> >practor the first time to deal with it. After a number of
> >adjustments and ultrasound treatments, the problem was great-
> >ly reduced. I learned to relax my jaw during the day, and
> >particularly to consciously rest my tongue flat on the
> >bottom of my mouth. I don't know why this had an effect
> >on the pain, but whenever the disorder set in, laying my
> >tongue down on the bottom of my mouth helped a lot. It
> >was something I stumbled upon and used to potent effect.
>
>
> This "appliance" is made of hard plastic and sits over your upper teeth
> while placeing/forcing your lower jaw into a resting position. it is also
> used to help prevent people from clenching their jaws. It is worn 24
> hours
> a day for 4-6 weeks and then you are gradually weaned off it.
>
> I had been seeing a neurologist to determine the causes of my migraines
> and
> then was sent to the orthodontist. I have tried physio in the past and
> also acupuncture and ultrasound but that only had very temporary relief.
> My lower jaw is actually sitting unevenly so that one side closes before
> the other does and this causes snapping and pain in movement. It could be
> either something that has been learned or something that is hereditary as
> there is a history of jaw trouble in the family and it may be a
> combination
> of the above.
>
> It does cause me some pain while playing for extended periods of time and
> also when I am playing during times when it is already flared up and
> sensitive. It is brought on by stress (who doesn't have any of that?) and
> fatigue and frequently occurs when least expected.
>
> Cheryl
>
> Cheryl Morehouse
> Coordinator UNB Music Camp
>
> http://www.unb.ca/FineArts/Music/camp.html
>
>
>
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