TMJ and Chiari

[kyrnin]

Has anyone had increased episodes of TMJ because of their Chiari?  Lately, I have been waking up with ear aches in both ears (from the TMJ- doctor confirmed) and increased jaw pain on both sides.  I am wondering if this is due to the Chiari?  Any thoughts?  I do have a "bite guard" that I wear at night but it doesn't seem to be helping.

[Spaceystac]

Hi kyrnin, sorry to hear you are having these ear aches. The fact that you wake with it makes me also think you are clinching in your sleep but the guard you say isnt helping?
You might be tensing more muscles than just your jaw in your sleep causing more problems, is your stress level higher in this period where this pain started?

I have terrible jaw pain that also affected my ears and down to my neck, it was found that my atlas was out of alignment causing tmj symptoms and even limited ability to open my mouth. A experienced oral surgeon gave me sleeping meds and ultram and put me on a liquid and soft food diet and it calmed down after 6months of intense pain everyday.  It took about a month of sleeping meds an I still only usually eat one solid meal a day and have instant breakfast essentials, it just seems to help me better than eating crunchy cereal and sandwiches. Too much eating and talking can send me into pain again.

  This is just my experience. I believe connective tissue disorder is to blame for this. A persons atlas being out of alignment can cause a lot of problems and most doctor dont even understand this condition, and chiropractors seem to know a little, but not enough to let them mess with a head with Chiari or connective tissue disorders.  
Hopefully you can find something to relax your muscles and allow your structures to move back into a less painful position. I figured if my atlas went out of place on its own, somehow it will go back in with out the assistance of a manipulation of my head and neck.
Hope you fing something that helps you!  Stacey

[selmaS]

  HI and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I was told my facial /jaw pain may be TMJ, but my dentist checked it out and said it was not....since I had surgery I do not have the pain like I did b4...the ears and jaw pain is a chiari thing...and may resemble TMJ, but I really do not believe that it is otherwise the bite gaurd would help.

  "selma"