 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steve
Date: 2003-02-05 12:38
Hi,
I am teaching a girl saxophone but she has a medical condition called TMJ. It's all to do with her jaw continually clicking and making it very difficult for her to do things like chew.
She is a very talented player and has a great deal of potential. I was wondering if anyone had come across this condition and if playing the sax will make the condition any worse. I am keen for her to keep playing but don't want to cause anymore damage to this condition.
Looking forward to your comments
Thanks!
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Author: thomas piercy
Date: 2003-02-05 13:45
I have had students with this, and other, medical conditions. As it is a medical condition, the wisest course of action, regardless of my experiences, is to ask her parents if you can speak with her doctor about this condition and any positive or negative effect sax playing will or may have. Every child is unique, as is their TMJ. You are not a doctor and, from your post, are unfamiliar with this condition combined with sax playing. It can be dangerous for a music teacher to make decisions that can harm a student.
If the student is really serious and committed to continuing, you could also have the student and yourself visit the doctor so he can observe his patient and your student. This would be a great way to find the best answer if the doctor is good.
However, IF you feel the doctor has no idea about any effect sax playing will have, research (as you are doing here) and seek out others' advice from their experience.
Your student is fortunate to have a concerned teacher looking out for their best interests.
FWIW: My students who have had this problem have done several things: done nothing; kept playing; quit playing at doctor's avice; go to physical therapy with the instrument or without; wear a device in their mouth to help correct the problem; all of the above.
Tom Piercy
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Author: Dan Borlawsky
Date: 2003-02-05 14:11
I am primarily a sax player doubling on clarinet, and have this condition. It can be very painful. About 3 years ago, it caused me to play less frequently (trying to avoid the pain), take prescription muscle relaxants and painkillers, have an extended course of chiropractic jaw adjustments, and have a cortisone injection in the jaw joint. I also wear a "night guard" to keep my jaws in proper alignment while sleeping. After a year or so of this, I'm now playing more frequently, and for longer periods of time, but I'm constantly aware that I can't overstress that joint or the problem will return. It's not a problem that can be corrected quickly, and probably not permanently.
The upside of all this? I'm more aware of how my jaw feels have learned how to manually adjust my jaw, and have avoided any major problems for over 2 years now.
I hope your student can avoid what I went through, but it's always a shame to hear about someone so young having this potentially painful and serious problem (I'm a "senior citizen").
--Dan
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Author: thomas piercy
Date: 2003-02-05 14:26
In addition:
There are quite a few websites and Internet discussion groups devoted to TMJ.
A good place to start is TMJ.org
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Author: Laur
Date: 2003-02-05 21:38
Hi,
I have TMJ and I'm Music Education/Performance Major on Clarinet. TMJ is VERY frustrating to a muscian and can often be a very painful thing. It bothers me on 2 levels - 1. It hurts..and 2. It stops me from doing what I love playing music. I sleep with a bite plate, which has been really helping - practice in segements, and also I find massaging my jaw in between passages, before & after rehersals.. anytime when I feel tension, It really really helps. Check out some of the websights. They can be really helpful
Laurie.
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