Subject: Re: [Harp-L] TMJ

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Chris writes in response to Bullfrog's query about TMJ:
 
"Given that you are really working your jaw when trying
to develop an  embouchure, it is possible. Kinda hard
to tell unless you see a  specialist.

Here are a couple of helpful  links.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001227.htm
http://www.utmb.edu/otoref/Grnds/tmj-1998/tmj.htm
http://www.entlink.net/healthinfo/topics/tmj.cfm
http://www.ctds.info/tmj.html#tmj_cause

An  overview.
This will be a little verbose, for the benefit of
those who do  not know what this problem is. The
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the point  at which
your lower jaw connects to your upper jaw, acting as a
fulcrum.  The joint takes considerable pressure and is
protected by a small disk of  cartilage. It is the
displacement or degradation of this disk, or the  bone
it contacts, that results in a TMJ disorder.
TemporoMandibular Joint  Disorder is a broad term which
describes the result, not the cause. TMJ   disorders
can be attributed to various disorders, stress, even
poor  posture. 

Hope this makes sense, I am not quite awake  yet.

Chris

--- Mike and Beverly  Rogers
<mbrogers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Anyone had  TMJ, or clicking jaw.  I developed it,
> about three months  ago.  I spent a great deal of
> time on embouchure, the last few  years, and wonder
> if there's a connection.  Or maybe I'm just  getting
> old and wearing out.  Bullfrog
> 
>  **************************************************
 
Chris is right, Bullfrog:  ......I'm a long time TMJ disorder  sufferer. 
Frankie Laine's old Mule Train whip-crack has nothing on my  jaw.  I never 
attributed it to my harmonica playing, since I started  that at age 4 and didn't 
develop the condition until I was in my 20's after  sustaining a severe blow to my 
face (followed by a couple of car accidents  in which I hit my head as well 
as some other head injuries over the  years).  Seems I've lived a colorful and 
rather painful life, but I digress  :-)   I've seen several dental and medical 
specialists and the  consensus is that if I'd only cease the "stress-related" 
grinding during sleep  (I ask:  what sleep? (given that I'm awake 22 out of 
24, more often than  not)) my problem would magically go away.  TMJ induced 
headaches by the way  are as severe as migraines.
 
  I rather think my renewed harmonica practicing and my involvement in  
Harp-L (what a blatant plug)  is serving as a wonderful stress-reducer  rather than 
a causative factor of my TMJ pain/clicking.  Even with all  the contortions 
I've gotten up to lately attempting to learn bending, I haven't  found it in 
any way contributory to my jaw problems.   I'm the  one they wrote all the books 
about -   the "worst -case scenario",  even though I'd have much preferred to 
be "the patient who seemed  hopeless but we've cured her so now she gets 
mentioned in the  textbooks!" <G>  Seriously -- as one gets older and bone 
deteriorates  in the jaw as elsewhere in one's body and  teeth shift, problems such  
as this are more likely to develop.  I doubt your embouchure is the root  
cause (<G>) Have you had recent dental work?  Suffer from arthritis  elsewhere?  
Are now exposed to a particularly high stress level you weren't  dealing with 
before?   If you can tolerate the NSAID's (non-steroidal  anti-inflammatories 
(ibuprofen, naproxen and the like), you may be able to  relax those over-taxed 
muscles enough to resolve the problem before it  escalates.  Muscle relaxers, 
massage therapy, heat (or cold) applications  might also help relieve the pain 
before it gets worse. Even  acupuncture.  Bottom line though - you really 
have to see your doctor  and have your bite thoroughly investigated as to how it 
might have  changed.  That's the most likely cause barring a recent  injury.  
Oh -- and NO MORE BAGELS!   Good luck.
 
Elizabeth