Living with chronic pain is something no one wants to have to endure. It’s a constant reminder that something is wrong and a distraction from experiencing life, ultimately making it more about surviving suffering and less about experiencing joy. One of the reasons people experience chronic pain is as a result of TMJ disorder. To avoid chronic TMJ pain, we first have to understand why we feel it in the first place and where it comes from.
Facial Pain
Facial pain is one of the most common symptoms of TMJ disorder. This pain can take the form of spasms and is often the result of a misaligned jaw that puts consistent strain on the facial muscles. This additional strain comes from muscles out of balance attempting to compensate for the less than optimal alignment they are tasked with holding together and working with.
Symptoms of Facial Pain
Chronic TMJ pain can cause:
- Various pain patterns, symptoms, and presentation
- Sharp, shooting, electric, or dull pain
- Constant or intermittent pain
- Pain in just one area (localized) or on both sides (bilateral)
How Can We Avoid Chronic TMJ Pain?
Treatment plans for avoiding TMJ pain run the gambit of techniques and strategies. Different people often find that different treatments and therapies work for them that don’t always work for others. While TMJ pain is a chronic pain unlike others, similar techniques have proved effective for these chronic pain sufferers as they have for other forms of chronic pain.
- Practice deep breathing, prayer, or meditation to help you relax.
- Reduce stress in your life because stress intensifies pain.
- Exercise more. The endorphins released during exercise are natural pain relievers.
- Cut back on alcohol. Chronic pain makes sleeping difficult, and alcohol can worsen these sleep problems. Sleep is essential to allow your body to recover.
- Consult a TMJ specialist. Getting a professional opinion and proper diagnosis can set you up with a treatment plan and a path to recovery.
Chronic TMJ Pain Relief in Burke, VA
Dr. Pamela Marzban has years of experience treating patients with TMJ disorder. Many of these patients have gone far too long without proper diagnosis and treatment and have suffered far too long because of it. By promoting Beauty, Balance, and Breath, our dedicated team of professionals helps patients experience real relief. For more information on how TMJ disorder and what treatment options would work best for you, contact Dr. Pamela Marzban’s office at 703-323-8200.
