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TMJ / Jaw Issues

 
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Quicksilver
Been Here Awhile


Joined: 29 Oct 2012
Posts: 217

PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2021 7:03 pm    Post subject: TMJ / Jaw Issues Reply with quote

Has anyone here had any TMJ issues (that's the jaw joint, if you aren't familiar) who would be kind enough to share their experience?

I finally figured out that TMJ/TMD is almost certainly what's causing a wide range of symptoms (headaches, facial /ear pain and others) and I've read it's more common among performers, which makes sense the way we contort our faces and talk in unusual manners all day long.

I have an appointment with a specialist in a month but wanted to ask here in case someone had any insight or tricks for managing it alongside a VO career. There seems to be a lot of disagreement in the medical community, as the condition got lost somewhere between doctors and dentists.

Any tips greatly appreciated!
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Glenn Moore
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Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 240

PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2021 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have dealt with it a little. Mostly just jaw popping while eating and a little pain here and there. I have mostly dealt with it by doing neck and jaw exercises. Chin tucks seem like they wouldn't help but they do. A lot of the problem is neck and shoulder posture. Try to lie on a cervical pillow for a few minutes before you fall asleep every night. They are not too comfortable for side sleepers but a few minutes lying on your back with your neck curved into the pillow the correct way will make a difference too...at least it has for me. Hope this helps you:-)
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George
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Joined: 09 Dec 2019
Posts: 283
Location: Seattle, WA

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 3:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

no tips but i'm definitely going to follow it. recently i've been experiencing severe pain when chewing food for the length of a normal meal with visually swollen jaw muscles. dentist is referring me to doctor, who will likely refer me to dentist. very interested to see what path they put you on.
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Glenn Moore
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Joined: 24 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you can, get your doc or dentist to write you a referral for some Physical Therapy sessions.
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Bruce
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7921
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I lived with a TMJ sufferer for many years and she went through years of adult braces and other dental appliances.... heck we helped a dentist buy a Delorean with the fees we paid.

I’d look into cranial/sacral massage and/or chiropractic treatment to see if any alignment problems could be solved that way first.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .
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Quicksilver
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Joined: 29 Oct 2012
Posts: 217

PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2021 4:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the replies.

From my reading, it's frequently treated very poorly by rank and file dentists and doctors.

I've seen a chiro who helped a lot, for a week and then it came back, possibly because I was overdoing the prescribed treatment and compulsively messing with it.

Seeing a specialist in a month and possibly going down the botox road, as mine seems to be a muscular issue but we'll see.

There's lots of conflicting info out there, so if you come down with it, do your research or send me a PM in a few months and I'll probably be able to at least tell you what NOT to do, ha.
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melissa eX
MMD


Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 2781
Location: Lower Manhattan, New Amsterdam, the original NYC

PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2021 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is a lot - A LOT - of misinformation about TMJ/TMD out there. I've done research on it in the past. Many dentists will tell you you have to file your teeth down. (it's a JOINT problem, not a dental problem) Others will immediately suggest surgery. Others propose an appliance (all of which could possibly cause more problems). Most of that isn't appropriate (especially filing down the teeth!)

You have to find the right Dr. Here's a Dr. in NYC who not only specializes in TMJ but actually HAS TMJ, so has done extensive work with it. Look for someone like him, who believes in very conservative treatment, unless absolutely necessary. You may be able to remedy it with exercises and other very conservative options.

From his website: "Although Dr. Hershkin practices the full scope of his specialty, he has a particular affinity for the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMJ or TMD), a condition that he has personally suffered through for over 30 years. As a result of his own experiences as a patient, Dr. Hershkin has a very unique perspective on the diagnosis and treatment of this difficult disease, enabling him to understand and relate to his patients in a unique and very meaningful way. Dr. Hershkin feels strongly about the mistreatment of these vulnerable, sometimes desperate, patients and takes great pride in providing affordable, effective counseling and most often conservative, minimally invasive, treatment – often without a lot of expensive, unnecessary diagnostic tests."

It's worth reading through his page on TMD/TMJ, so you know what to look for.

https://www.oralfacialsurgeon.com/conditions/tmj-disorder-facial-pain/
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George
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Joined: 09 Dec 2019
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Location: Seattle, WA

PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2021 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thanks for posting that link. very educational and gives me a better perspective on what ultimately i'll need to bring in terms of ammunition to my primary when i make an appointment for it. driving the overall narrative myself will be much more productive than waiting for whatever suggestions they may have.
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johnmilesprod
Contributor


Joined: 03 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
Location: San Francisco, CA

PostPosted: Mon May 10, 2021 5:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Back in the mid 80's when I was on doing radio in South Florida, I had the opportunity to interview movie star Burt Reynolds. He suffered from TMJ.
The tabloids had him dying from other fatal diseases (like AIDS) because he looked very frail and gaunt. I was somewhat shocked to see his appearance when we taped the interview at his ranch in Jupiter, Florida. And his speech was very "muddy."If you Google "Burt Reynolds and TMJ" you'll see a good deal of information on TMJ and his dealing with it.
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