Tight Jaw.....any suggestions?
 

Thought some of you might be able to give me additional pointers. Aside from the headaches and stiff neck.... I have been struggling with a real tight jaw for many months now and I am not able to open my mouth wide enough to bite a burger etc.

The only way I can think of to describe it as I can barely fit 2 fingers in up to the knuckle. Anyway, they are trying to work on it in Myofascial release therapy....but it isn't loosening up any.

Is this just something that takes time to heal...or is there something else I should be doing for it?

HeadStrong
 

I have had migraine headaches since my teens (several years). Before Imitrex came out, i had gone to a neurologist who had prescribed Midrin for the migraines. He prescribed qty. 100 with 12 refills. Had no idea about rebound headaches at the time. Since he had given me a large amount (at the time did not do computer),thought it was okay to take as many as I did. When I would get a migraine, I would take one, then hour or so later,headache would come back again,would take another midrin, and hour or two later headache back again... this went on for a few years.

Had no idea, at the time, what was causing my jaw pain and tightness. I would try so hard to get my jaw to relax. It was awful. My headaches were almost daily as well, so the midrin continued with no idea the cause of the terrible painful tightness of the jaw area. Finally, son had researched Midrin. One of the side effects; especially rebound headaches, was jaw tightness. I got off the midrin and the tightness improved considerably.

I take Imitrex now; but am quite careful not to overdo and no longer have rebound headaches . Also, since the rebound effect is gone; less migraines as well.

Probably not what is causing your tightness; but thought this might be worth mentioning.


(Gerry)

I have jaw pain since my fall... I did have my chiropractor adjust it and that helped quite a bit.

That said, it still tightens up quite a bit.... the only way I can loosen it is to work on the muscles myself. Its a good thing to do when you're alone, because of the inevitable drool factor, but it helps.

I just shove my thumb in (use right thumb for left side and vice versa) and then feel around until I find tender spots and apply pressure (pinch with fingers on the outside of mouth) until no longer tender. It hurts so bad while you're' doing it, but once you're done, there is relief.

Sometimes if its really bad, I'll start with hot packs applied to my jaw on the outside first, that will sometimes make it a bit looser.

Jaw pain is brutal... I also had my jaw checked by my dentist when I was there a couple weeks ago to see if I was clenching or grinding my teeth and there was no signs of wear.

There are over the counter mouth guards you can buy and shape using boiling water that you can wear at night (tres sexy!) that might help rest the muscles even if you're not clenching or grinding. I had one and it helped, but I need a new one, my dog took it off the night stand and put HIS teeth marks in it :rolleyes:

Here's a pretty good video about some self massage for TMJ. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WQsd...feature=relmfu

Best of luck.
Starr

Thanks Starr and Gerry! Big Hugs for the info.:hug: