The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Yoga
Posted by Robin (Near Toledo, Ohio) on 04/14/2009
★★★★★
A yoga practice cured me of TMJ disorder. I used to get shooting pains up my cheek and really bad headaches. I started with Zanax but since I knew that was a highly addictive drug, I researched natural alternatives and discovered Kava Kava. It worked just as well without the worry of addiction. I was also fitted with a mouth piece to prevent me from clenching hard at night.
I then start yoga practice and I think releasing the stored tension in my body was key. (the fish, the cobra, the scorpion, the bow, the wheel, and the camel were beneficial, stretching the entire front of the body, plus I would jut out my chin in doing some of these to increase the stretch in the neck/jaw area. Mind you, to be healthy, you need to do opposite stretches to keep the body in balance, like the standing forward bend, the shoulder stand, the child's pose, seated forward bend, etc.) After practicing for a few months, I noticed that I no longer clenched at night or during the day and the headaches were gone. Of course, stress was a trigger too, I was married to an emotional abuser and control freak plus suffered from chronic sinusitis every other week for years.
It's interesting that Ted talks of an alkaline ph in reference to chelating heavy metals linked to TMJ. I also have adrenal fatigue and thyroid resistance, both of which call for minerals (magnesium, etc.) to heal from. Additionally, I have a mouth full of metal fillings and have suspected mercury toxicity as a contributor to the CFIDS, Fibromyalgia, etc that I am challenged with as well. I would have the taste of a metal spoon in my mouth constantly when I had the TMJ really bad.
Blessings,
Robin
Vibrations and Tones
Posted by June (NYC, USA) on 11/30/2008
★★★★★
When I was in college years ago, I took a class on the Linklater Voice method, which was recommended for actors and public speakers. I remember being told that one of the exercises we used to warm up at the beginning of class was excellent at reducing or eliminating TMJ. This particular warm-up exercise consisted of grabbing a good hold on your chin between your thumb and pointing finger and vibrating it (shaking it very quickly with tiny movements) while making an "AHHHHH" sound. Then you'd continue with the vibration and make a very deep sighing noise going up and down the scale (picture a sound wave curve). You might want to do this in a sound proof room because people may wonder what the heck you are up to -- very silly sounds!
I have used the technique successfully over the years to treat my TMJ when it popped up. I spend 5-10 minuts making sounds and vibrating my jaw. I also move my jaw from side to side while making that AHhhh sound.
Magnesium is a potent stress reducer, so you might consider taking that too.
P.S. I haven't checked, but maybe there are some videos on YouTube on the Linklater voice method to give you an idea.
P.P.S Babies sometimes make a very similar sound to the vibration I described above!
Frankincense Essential Oil
Posted by cheryl (MN) on 03/14/2021
Can you tell me which magnesium and frankincense (there are a couple different species) you use? Thanks. I have the same issue and am missing part of my jaw.
Turmeric
Posted by Lili (Los Angeles) on 05/04/2015
★★★★★
I tried turmeric for my trigger finger and it hasn't helped yet, but the pain in my jaw (which was like TMJ but caused by a sprained inner ear muscle) which had hurt and restricted my jaw motion for two years, feels absolutely great finally. I swear by it even though it has yet to heal my thumb.
Iodine
Posted by Elaine (MN) on 03/18/2021
You want iodine in a tablet. Ioderal has good recommendations. Plus a tiny amount of copper every once in a while. https://www.amazon.com/Optimox-Iodoral-Potency-Potassium-Supplement/dp/B000X843VG
Acupressure
Posted by Jane (Peoria, Illinois) on 01/28/2012
★★★★★
Used to have TMJ symptoms fairly regulary. I had a dentist trained in accupressure press on stomach on my left side just below my ribs, haven't experienced TMJ symptoms since then. This was a few years ago. I would definitely recommend acupressure.
Magnesium
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 09/16/2011
★★★★★
Jayeshgala83, a magnesium deficiency can cause you to grind your teeth at night. You could either make some magnesium oil (1 cup magnesium chloride flakes and 1 cup of boiling pure water and dissolve the flakes). Put the liquid into a spray bottle and spray on yourself or put the flakes and water into a small foot bath and soak your feet in it for about 20-30 minutes or into a full bath. Swimming in the sea is also good to get magnesium into your body.
Vibrations and Tones
Posted by Antares (Tamuning, Guam) on 08/18/2010
★★★★★
My jaw seized up rather suddenly and was getting worse by the day. The tension in the jaw joint was becoming severe -- uncomfortable and painful, and I could not open my mouth without a miserable jarring pop. Because my godmother has been through a years-long full mouth reconstruction, I asked her what I could do. She told me that a tibetan singing bowl helped her a lot. I didn't have access to one, but a couple days later it occured to me to just hum. So I did, for about ten minutes on my drive home, and then I went to bed. The next morning my jaw was most of the way better -- I barely noticed the pop of the dislocation, once I had warmed up the joint. While humming that first time, while the tension was severe, my eardrum buzzed/rattled like a broken speaker! The next day there was no more buzzing when I hummed. I still need to accomplish a complete cure, as I my jaw is still dislocated since the onset of this bout of tension; however, that will probably require a wisdom tooth extraction. Now it clunks when I open my mouth, but does not cause me any discomfort.
Magnesium
Posted by Tmj (Stamford, Ct) on 12/28/2009
Hi, Which form of Magnesium are you taking? I have taken Magnesium Citrate (for my TMJ pain) yesterday, but had a very upset stomach as a side effect. Is this normal?. Did you have any such side effects? Thanks.
Magnesium
Posted by Bonecrusher (Usa) on 04/08/2012
The two best forms of magnesium to take orally without giving you any intestinal side effects are magnesium glycinate and magnesium malate.
Look at the amount of elemental magnesium (not the total mg of the formula) in the brand you buy, 200mg is a good starting point. You can work your way up to 2 or 3x that or more depending on how your body feels.
Take it first thing in the morning when you get up, if you take it later in the day you will have a hard time waking up the next day it will make you sleep so hard.
TMJ Exercises
Posted by Moonlight58 (Park City, Ks) on 06/26/2011
Just thought you guys might like to know that the video has been removed by the "owner". Sucks... I sure need it!!
TMJ Exercises
Posted by Monica Horn (Nj) on 09/19/2013
★★★★★
Frankincense Essential Oil
Posted by Esther (Soca) on 03/15/2021
Searched for Hopewell frankense online but cannot find it. Where do you purchase it?
Vibrations and Tones
Posted by Monica (Nj) on 09/19/2013
Does your jaw still "clunk". That is my chief symptom for about 4-6wks.... The clunking. I have some non-painful tension, which his helped by magnesium powder and heat pad. But I cannot chew normally or open my mouth all the way (which involves bringing the lower jaw forward) without the clunking. It's not a grinding or a popping, definitely a clunk. Wondering what, if anything, you did to stop this. Anyone?
Massage
Posted by Lindaa (Chipley, Florida, U.S.A.) on 12/30/2009
★★★★★
On and Off for years I had TMJ. My dentist even pulled a tooth. I read some odd thing about TMJ and grinding my teeth. I was sure I did not, but asked my husband. He said I always did.
I bought a cheap football mouth piece, cut off the piece that sticks out, followed directions on box. Put it in my mouth that night. The next morning I discovered I had crewed almost completly through one side. anyway....One day I had the TMJ that was really hurting so bad I wanted to cry. Not really thinking, I was rubbing both sides of my jaws, when I noticed I had a lump (muscle cramp) on the side that hurt, but not the other side. I dug my fingers into the lump and massaged it really hard. It did not hurt to do this for some reason. After a couple of minutes I noticed the TMJ pain was gone. There after, any time I felt the TMJ pain coming on I would massage that muscle, as well as wear another mouth piece at night for a few days. I belive TMJ is stress related, and not misaligned teeth. Give it a try, it cant hurt worse than what you already have, and it only costs a couple of dollars for a cheap mouth piece.
Oil Pulling
Posted by Tmj (Stamford, Ct) on 12/24/2009
TMJ treatment
I have been suffering from TMJ disorder for the past 9 months. I get pain in my temples, jaw joint, Cheeks, neck, back, and sometime my tongue. I get ringing sounds in my ears too. I have read about oil pulling in your website posts and am eager to know more about it. Is there any more specific information such as the type of oil to be used, any specific schedule to be followed. Apart from oil pulling, are there any other ways to attack the problem.
Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Oil Pulling
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 12/25/2009 490 posts
Hello tmj from Stamford,
Nine months is a long time to hve TMJ problems. Question: Are you on Fosamax or one of the other drugs for osteoporosis (bone thinning)? They are known to cause osteonecrosis (death) of the lower jaw. If you are on one of these, type the name of the medication you are taking in the search window and look up side effects.
Oil Pulling
Posted by Tmj (Stamford, Ct) on 12/26/2009
Hi. I have not used any of those medications that you have mentioned. I have been using some muscle relaxants (prescribed by my doc). I feel ok when the muscle relaxants are working, but after a day or two I start to feel my jaw muscles getting sore & tight. Any insights on natural TMJ treatment would be appreciated.
Oil Pulling
Posted by areli (Texas) on 06/11/2024
How are you doing now? I have had my first ever flare up and going on 2 months with teeth pain.
Magnesium
Posted by E (Islamabad, Pakistan) on 03/18/2012
to the people who've been taking magnesium supplements, how much did you take and in what form?
TMJ Exercises
Posted by Pr (Houston, Texas) on 08/13/2009
Thanks for sharing this info. My muscle feel great after doing these exercises. Is this the best on You Tube as I notice there are several on this subject? Thanks, Thanks, Thanks
TMJ Exercises
Posted by Howdee (Inglewood, Ca) on 08/14/2013
I was excited to click on the video, but it's not there. Can anybody recommend other good videos for TMJ exercises?
Acupressure
Posted by Bev (Long Beach, CA/USA) on 05/04/2009
★★★★★
Several years ago the right side of my jaw would swell and my jaw would lock. This condition would be aggravated by my salivary gland when I "thought" of eating a cookie. Strange indeed. I went to the dentist and he sent me to an Orthodontist that pryed my mouth open. That helped at the time but it wasn't until a co-worker suggested I see a Chiropractor that I was cured. I couldn't open my mouth but he managed to put a finger inside my mouth on the "left" side and applied pressure to a muscle. That afternoon the swelling was gone. I have used this technique myself over the years to cure myself and it's always worked.
Acupressure
Posted by Sarah (Austin, Texas, Us) on 01/23/2012
★☆☆☆☆
My mom took me in for acupressure a lot in high school for my TMJ, and ultimately it only made me worse. I don't recommend it.
