I had a check-up with Dr. V on Thursday after work. It had been a month since my last check-up because with my weekly appointments I was doing very well.
The closer I got to Thursday's appointment, the more pain I was experiencing. I had a lot of ear pain and popping (like when you change elevations), jaw pain, headaches, and my carpal tunnel was getting worse again (I've discovered the two conditions are related). I thought about calling to get an earlier appointment but I got so busy it just didn't happen. I get called back for my appointment and Dr. V had me bite on the little films to check my progress. His comment when I pulled out my MORA was that I was way out of alignment. He had to do some pretty big adjustments to it. He said, "no wonder you're in pain." He told me the cause for the alignment issue is probably clenching and grinding during the night. I have no idea how to stop doing that. I have learned a technique from Stacy at TMJ Hope to stop clenching during the day - "Lips together, teeth apart" and tongue against the teeth as though making an N sound. So far this seems to be helping during the day as I try to say it to myself often. Now I just need to figure out how to say it to myself at night. A cd with subliminal messages, perhaps? After the adjustments, he told me he wanted to see me in a week. I am still experiencing the ear popping and pain along with some jaw pain. My wrists and hands still hurt but it's a little better than it was. Maybe I do need to be back on weekly appointments. I'm sad about the apparent set-back but I'm not worried about it. It is what it is and with Dr. V's help I can continue moving forward. Thought of the Day: "Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead." - Les Brown Precisely.
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Author I was officially diagnosed with TMJ Archives
January 2013
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