Can you recommend someone to treat my TMJ problems?

June 26, 2007 10:37 AM

Can you recommend someone to treat my TMJ problems?

Can anyone recommend someone to treat my TMJ in or around Atlanta, GA? Details of any personal experiences with specific people and their approaches are welcome. Thanks.

posted by underwater to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

I'd recommend The Egoscue Method. They specialize in correcting posture, which they would argue is the cause of your TMJ symptoms. I would probably agree in most cases.

I've used that site before when I had back troubles from weightlifting; I paid $30, sent in some pictures, and they gave me a stretching routine to perform daily that helped my pain and posture tremendously, which was surprising to me because I was very skeptical at first.

The whole idea of postural deficiencies causing such a wide array of problems seemed kind of hokey to me but they solved my problem, and lots of people swear by their methods. I figure it's worth a try, especially since they do have some free routines on their site you can look at and try.
posted by PFL at 12:05 PM on June 26, 2007

I don't have any advice about specific doctors in your area, but I will say this - If you first see a doctor who seems pessimistic or alarmist, find someone new. There are a lot of good TMJ doctors out there, and they can do some exceptional things. I had severe degeneration of my TMJ (both sides) when I was a kid, and underwent a multi-year regimen of orthodontia and surgery, but in the end we got my jaw stabilized. I expect and hope that your case is less serious than that, but if they could fix me they can probably fix anyone. Good luck, and email me if I can help with anything.
posted by you're a kitty! at 3:23 PM on June 26, 2007

I'm not from the South, so no specific recommendation, but my dentist makes me a device that sits between my teeth, similar to what a football player wears. I chew through it every couple years.

It helps me a lot.
posted by rakish_yet_centered at 6:50 PM on June 26, 2007

rakish_yet_centered - is it a splint (thinner in the back)? I've been wearing one for six years or so, at night only. It stabilized my jaw joint, and now keeps it from hurting. Good stuff!
posted by you're a kitty! at 12:33 AM on June 27, 2007

yak: Yes, it's called a splint. I don't notice any tapering in back. I wear mine all the time, only removing for brushing.
posted by rakish_yet_centered at 6:04 AM on June 27, 2007