What Are The Unusual Symptoms Of TMJ?

All over the world, including, of course, the American states, there exists a large number of people who suffer from problems in their temporomandibular joints of the jaw. Greater researches into these problems have made the symptoms of this problem more recognizable by doctors as well. The most common symptoms of TMJ disorders make an appearance as inflammations at and near the jaw joint area, migraine-related headaches, improper biting techniques, a laborious chewing process, none of which can be got rid off easily. The physicians can now even point out certain TMJ symptoms, which, till a few years back, were not known to be related to TMJ at all. In order to get a feel of the real-life problems that these unusual symptoms of TMJ posed to patients, a few case studies have also been described here.

The joints on both sides of the face lies, as has been proved by anatomical studies, in close connection, to the human skull, and several related bodily organs. As a case in point, it is less than an inch in distance to the mid-portion of the ear. The linkage to the various sound effects produced in the ear is ensured via a ligament. The neck, too, lies in close proximity to the TMJ. Hence, when the latter starts to pain, aching sensations are felt at the neck, as well as in other adjoining areas. It is also a source of debate in medical circles, as to whether tinnitus causes TMJ problems, or if it is the other way round. Whatever may be the case, there is no denying the fact that, the two medical disorders are intricately related.

A Look At The Less Commonly Noted Symptoms Of TMJ:

* The patients suffering from TMJ disorders often, just like the tinnitus-afflicted people, get to hear rings in their ear. Pinto's ligament, which connects the middle portion of the ear with the temporomandibular joint is deemed to be the cause of it. This ligament is the passage for the 2-way connection between this part of the ear and the joint,
* The chin, the cheek and other areas close to the joint of the jaw can also get swelled up as a result of the TMJ ailments. This effect becomes more pronounced on that side of the face which has actually been affected. However, it is not easy to come across this symptom, since it does not occur frequently,
* Problems in the TMJ can also manifest themselves as sharp, excruciating pains in the shoulder blades. The pain remains on one side of the shoulder, and travels down the neck of the affected person, extending to other regions as well,
* TMJ patients, while not talking about vertigo problems, often complain of a continuous dizzy feeling. A lightheaded sensation is what such patients feel at first. The problem can soon graduate to more troublesome head-spins, which, at ever-increasing levels of acuteness, can transform into vertigo, and
* The fingers of a person can be robbed of their powers to feel, due to TMJ related disorders. In particular, patients above the age of fifty are more susceptible to this symptom of TMJ, which can take away their powers to steer a car, or to sign a paper. However, this symptom is extremely uncommon, and its appearance as well as exit is totally unpredictable.

While the above cases summarize some of the more important unusual symptoms of TMJ ailments, such symptoms have, in actuality, a much broader operating spectrum. In the following case studies, we would, in the very words of actual TMJ patients, find out more about the varied nature of these symptoms:

Persistent Popping In The Jaw (Without Any pains that can be associated with TMJ disorders): Case Study No. 1 -

The problems faced by a TMJ patient (name not disclosed according to patient's request) were summed up by the following: "I have suffered from problems with my TMJ since I was a child. When I was 10 years old, my mother used to complain of me "clicking my teeth" on a spoon when I ate. The trouble is, my teeth never came near the spoon. The sound she heard came from my jaw popping. My jaw now dislocates constantly. I can't eat pizza or french bread, or even sing, without it locking. I wake up several times each night having to relocate my jaw. There is no pain just a jaw that can't seem to function normally. Brux guards do nothing. In fact, the only thing that seems to keep my jaw from popping and sticking is applying pressure to the left TMJ. I have to sleep these days with a hard pillow pressing against the joint, or it pops out constantly. It's clear that something is keeping my jaw from aligning properly, but no one seems to be able to help me fix it."

Having To Swallow Saliva On A Continuous Basis: Case Study No. 2 -

Another TMJ disorder affected patient (also refusing to disclose his/her name) summed up his/her inconveniences in the following way: "I never clench or grind my teeth but I am constantly doing it now. The side of my face in front of my ear feels swollen, as does that side of my neck and the ear itself. My neck and shoulders ache, and I am constantly swallowing saliva. The back of my neck hurts. My ear rings and kind of feels numb at times. The predominant symptom I have is the neck pain. Even the bone in back of my last tooth feels bad."

Third Case Study: Loud Clicking Sound Emitted By The Jaw, And Audible Even From Five Feet Distance

Unusual as it might seem, such problems can also be experienced by the TMJ patients. One of such afflicted individuals had the following to state: "I have had joint pain and severe popping and cracking in my right jaw for 20 years. I am now 35. I have tried all the recommended treatments and have had very little success (braces, night guards etc.). I experience headaches, ear fullness and pain, facial pain in front of my ear, extreme pain when opening my mouth wide to yawn or laugh or eat followed by cracking (that can be heard up to 5 feet away) and dislocation."

Homemade Ways To Treat TMJ: Natural Methods

There indeed are benefits to be had from using the various nature-based TMJ treatment methods, which are generally prepared at home. However, just as the conventional treatment modes and the over-the-counter drugs, they cannot offer a permanent solution to these problems, since they too treat only the TMJ symptoms, and not its underlying causes per se. In a strikingly different manner, the opposite is done by the holistic treatment modes, which tend to consider the entire body as a single structure, bring to light the actual underlying factors, and systematically remove them from the system. Since the causes of the disease are treated, the symptoms of TMJ also are driven away, without any separate treatment regimes. With a total removal of the main causes of TMJ ailments from the body, individuals can indeed hope for a permanent cure from TMJ issues, through holistic channels of treatment.

Sandra Carter is a certified nutritionist and author of the best-selling e-book, TMJ No More . For Further Information: Unusual Symptoms Of TMJ