Tmj is often caused by grinding your teeth in your sleep or habitually clenching you jaw muscles too tightly.
And, the reason that people grind their teeth and clench their jaws is often stress.
I'm not saying that I know for certain that stress reduction can cure tmj.
But, I do know that it can drastically
lesson the pain full symptoms.
As a mother of three I don't have the luxury of spending my day sleeping off the muscle relaxers that are often
prescribed for the treatment of tmj. So, here a few few of the ways that I've found to relieve my symptoms
without drugs.
A heating pad on low heat applied to the affected area can sooth tightened muscles and ease pain.
- A warm bubble bath is a great stress reliever provided your kids are otherwise occupied instead of killing time
pounding on the bathroom door.
- Although I personally have not tried St. John's Wart I've been told that taking it daily can help relieve anxiety
without making you tired.
- Avoiding chewing gum, taffy, tootsie rolls and other super chewy foods reducing the amount of workout
your jaw gets and allows the jaw muscles some much needed rest.
- I have found that yoga relieves my stress as well as stretches out my aching muscles.
My doctors and I haven't found a way to completely cure my tmj but the methods I've shared have really made
the condition more manageable.
