Living with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can be exhausting. The barrage of symptoms that typically accompany TMJ has the potential to be nightmarish for those who are suffering. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that TMJ is responsible for the symptoms they experience, and as a result, they don't seek out the medical attention they need to get relief.
Still, others do get the medical attention the condition demands, but because the symptoms are so overwhelming, TMJ patients may have to make a few life changes to reap the full benefits of their treatment plan. For those coping with a TMJ diagnosis, the following five self-care practices may ease pain and discomfort.
Self-Care Practices That May Help Ease TMJ Symptoms
- Eat soft foods: Soft foods put less stress on your jaw muscles as they require less pressure to break down.
- Apply an ice pack: Ice is a known DIY method for pain relief. Applying an ice pack to the affected area where the pain seems to be emanating from can numb the site and provide some temporary relief.
- Avoid extreme jaw movements: For the same reasons people with TMJ should gravitate toward soft foods, they should also avoid extreme jaw movements when they can. Movements like wide yawning, loud singing, and gum chewing cause added stress on the jaw, which could exacerbate symptoms.
- Learn techniques to relax and reduce stress: Stress can have various physical manifestations that people are often unaware of including, tensing muscles, clenching their jaw, or performing repetitive "tics" like lip or cheek chewing. Finding new ways to relieve stress, such as meditation, prayer, or exercise, can help avoid relying on these behaviors.
- Practice gentle jaw stretching and relaxing exercises: Stretching before a workout prepares your muscles for activity by improving range of motion, preventing injury, and decreasing muscle stiffness. These same benefits can be applied to facial and jaw muscles too! If you're interested in this self-care practice, Dr. Buck can recommend exercises appropriate for your particular condition.
Treating TMJ in Lynnwood, WA
TMJ treatment requires a multi-faceted approach to remedy the broad spectrum of symptoms it entails. Dr. Buck of Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics specializes in TMJ and sleep apnea treatment making his office an excellent resource for those in need of relief. Call (425) 361-0715 today or visit our contact page here.
