TMJ and Chiropractors

[tgarci2]

I've had bad symptoms from my temporomandibular joint for the past 2-3 years.  I have been going to a chiropractor recently and I told him about my headaches, ear pain, etc., he suggested (as I'm sure they all do) that the issue lies in nerves that are pinched between vertebrae in my spine.  He did some crazy test where I laid face down and moved my heels around.  He then came over to the jaw that wasn't hurting and punched it with an "activator", he then did the same thing to the sinus cavities in my forehead and around my cranium and sutures.  

I actually felt really relaxed when I left, but it hurt again the next day.  My question is whether anyone has had this treatment and if it works.  He isn't charging me any extra for it so I'm inclined to see where the road takes me...

[tgarci2]

Thanks for the reply Tammy, I went to my chiropractor yesterday (I'm not sure what his specialization is, seems to be a combination of several methods) and asked him what he thought might aleve the pain.  Apparently I crack my neck a lot, he suggested I not do so, instead when I have the urge to crack it I should do some neck stretches, that is supposed to relieve tension in my neck and sternocleidomastoid rather than adding to it.  I'll see how that works as the weeks go by.

Still going to the tmj specialist on monday (3/1/2010), like I said though, if I can find something that fixes the problem and not just the sympton I will definitely pursue.

[Tammy2009]

I've been using a nucca chiropactor for the last couple of months and seems a bit better.  They focus on a specific technique for realigning the first vertebrate in your neck (C1) with gentle pressure.  

I have only had one flare-up and from starting the treatments to that flare-up it was really helping (muscles looser and less tension all the way down my body).  However, I also have started my ortho work (which will include jaw surgery in the future to fix my bite) at the same time so all the improvements were without being able to wear my night guard since november.  

[tgarci2]

I scheduled an appointment with one for next monday.  As long as they don't prescribe surgery I'll follow direction, I've heard nothing but bad things about tmj surgery though.

Thanks for the input

[scottma]

Seeing a tmj specialist is advised.