Temporal Mandibular Joint Pain

Temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) pain most frequently occurs in the jaw joint and around the ear. You may also experience headaches, toothaches, and pain in the neck, shoulders and face. Many standard treatments are available to deal with the pain as well as some self-care techniques. Additionally, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests several natural therapies.

Self-care

• Your dentist might suggest a number of things you can do on your own to help reduce TMJ pain. Some are as simple as cutting food into smaller pieces, chewing less and avoiding gum. You can also learn exercises from your dentist to stretch your jaw muscles. If bite alignment is an issue, a bite plate can properly align your upper and lower jaw. Teeth grinding can cause TMJ pain, and wearing a night guard during sleep can help. Stress can be another culprit, causing you to clench your jaw.

Standard medications

• Often times, regular over the counter medications such as Advil, Motrin, and Aleve are sufficient to reduce pain. For muscle spasms and more serious pain, your dentist might prescribe a minor tranquilizer or muscle relaxant; these should be taken at night before going to bed. He might also inject a local anesthetic or for more severe cases, steroid injections.

Supplements

• Glucosamine reduces pain and improves range of motion by helping to rebuild cartilage in the joints. Take 500 milligrams three times daily. Vitamin C also assists the body in making cartilage and improving range of motion. Take 500 milligrams twice a day. Calcium and magnesium are like natural muscle relaxants; twice a day take 250 milligrams and 125 milligrams respectively. Be sure to discuss magnesium supplementation with your doctor if you are taking any medications since it can react with certain ones.

Herbs and homeopathy

• Cramp bark and lobelia can treat muscle spasms. Apply five drops each into the joint; do not apply to broken skin. Try causticum for burning pains or hypericum perforatum for sharp, shooting pain. Ignatia relieves tension in the jaw. Kalmia is good for facial pain. Rhus toxicodendron is most effective for pain that is worse in wet weather or after movement. Ruta graveolens works best for pain resulting from injury or overuse.

Contrast hydrotherapy

• Contrast hydrotherapy involves switching between hot- and- cold- water applications. This technique alleviates inflammation, pain, and speeds up the healing process. You will need a hot pack and ice wrapped in a clean soft cloth. Apply heat for three minutes and cold for one for a total of three times. Do two to five sets of three applications daily.