January 2022

If you regularly experience jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and headaches, you may be experiencing temporal mandibular disorder (TMJ). The condition happens because of issues in the jaw joint, jaw, and adjacent facial muscles.  Without proper treatment, TMJ can result in symptoms like debilitating headaches and chronic jaw pain. The experienced team at New York Neurology Associates provides state-of-the-art care and treatment for TMJ in New York to minimize the symptoms and offer pain relief. For more inquiries, call or schedule an appointment online today.  

What is TMJ?

TMJ is a temporomandibular joint disorder, which occurs when the jaw joints become inflamed and irritated. This condition is often linked with chronic teeth often grinding during sleep. Most individuals suffer from jaw pain, chronic headaches, and facial pain without knowing they suffer from TMJ. An evaluation to establish the primary cause of these symptoms is essential for receiving proper care, resolving symptoms, and preventing complications. TMJ treatment involves diagnosing, treating, and relieving the disorder.

What Causes Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

TMJ often happens in people with bite balance issues, including misaligned, crooked, or missing teeth. However, it can also happen in people with well-aligned bites. Chronic stress often contributes to developing TMJ by making the facial muscles remain contracted and tense, which exerts uneven strain on the jaw joints, resulting in irritation, pain, and inflammation. TMJ can also be caused by tooth loss or dental restorations that alter the bite balance and mechanics.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?

The common symptoms of TMJ are jaw pain, chronic headaches, and facial pain. Another symptom is nighttime teeth grinding, which causes the tooth surfaces to become cracked or worn, causing tooth decay, tooth fractures, infections, and loss. Frequent grinding also causes the gums to recede, which increases the risk of gum infections. Often, individuals with untreated TMJ have large, misshapen, or square jaws because of the continual jaw muscles movement. When chewing or opening your mouth, you might also get a clicking sound or grating sensation from the temporal-mandibular joint.

What Are the Available TMJ Treatments?

Previously, temporomandibular joint disorder treatment relied only on surgery to relieve these symptoms. Today, the condition can be effectively treated without surgical intervention at New York Neurology Associates. Botox injections offer an effective treatment option for most patients with TMJ by blocking nerve signals that make the jaw muscles contract and spasm. The frequency and number of Botox injections used to treat your condition depend on your facial anatomy and symptoms. Another treatment is the use of low-voltage electrical currents to relax the temporomandibular muscles and relieve the tension. If your symptoms persist after the treatment, the doctor may opt for oral surgery. The surgery may permanently adjust your bite while minimizing the risk of teeth grinding and muscle tension.

Do not struggle any longer with severe pain and discomfort that decreases your overall life quality because of TMJ disorders. The experienced team at New York Neurology Associates has you covered. Call or book an appointment online to get effective TMJ treatment in and around New York.

Managing the grieving process is a tiring and challenging endeavor. Grief is a universal experience that affects everyone, but many people don’t understand how to grieve, and the importance of going through it to move forward. Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a writer who is helping people learn about grief and develop some coping tactics. She is a staff member at BCFS Health and Human Services, a nonprofit organization that helps people through crisis. The organization provides services for natural disasters, health emergencies, and guides children and parents through fostering and adopting. Maxwell-Rambie works in community services, communication, and development, and has worked for BCFS Health and Human Services for a decade.

Maxwell-Rambie wrote “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief: How to Overcome Life’s Disappointments, Change and Loss” to give readers a “toolbox” of strategies to push forward through grief. The book defines grief, the grieving process, and then offers various tips for people managing the loss of a family member, coworker, or friend who need a assistance. The book is informed by her losing her husband of more than thirty years, and the way she struggled through the grieving process after his loss. She realized many of those who’ve experienced loss do not know how to move forward. She recommends people talk about grief openly, to remove some of the stigma and become comfortable with conversing with others to help ease the pain and set a path towards the future.

After reading the book, several BCFS Health and Human Services staff members note its positive elements, including thoughts on the good that can come from a deep grieving experience. They say Maxwell-Rambie’s goal is to encourage healing and understanding and to focus energies on happiness while also remembering lost loved ones.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder seen in clinics. It mainly affects adults above 60 years old, but it can also affect younger people, in which case it’s known as young-onset PD. According to researchers like Joon Faii Ong, the main symptoms are tremors, rigidity in muscles, and loss of balance.

The conventional approach to treating PD is with medications like levodopa and dopamine agonists. However, these medications can have troublesome side effects like dyskinesia (involuntary movements).

For this reason, many people are turning to holistic techniques like yoga, meditation, and diet changes to help manage their PD symptoms.

1) Yoga

Yoga is a mind-body practice that has been shown to be beneficial for people with PD. It helps to improve flexibility, balance, and strength. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety.

One of the benefits of Yoga is that it can be tailored to meet the needs of each individual. There are many different types of Yoga, so you can find one that is suitable for you.

Patients with Parkinson’s report that they feel better after practicing Yoga. They have more energy, they are able to move around more easily, and they feel less stressed.

2) Meditation

Meditation is another mind-body practice that has been shown to be helpful for people with PD. It helps to focus the mind and reduce stress.

One study found that meditation was able to improve symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and balance in people with PD.

Meditation can be done in a variety of ways, so find one that suits you. There are many guided meditations available online if you need help getting started.

3) Diet

There is some evidence that diet can play a role in the development of PD. Some people think that a diet high in processed foods and sugar may contribute to the development of the disease.

There is also some evidence that eating foods rich in antioxidants may help to protect against PD. Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables like berries, oranges, and leafy greens.

It’s important to eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods to get the most benefit. Try to avoid processed foods and sugary drinks.

4) Lower Stress

There is some evidence that stress may be a risk factor for the development of PD. That’s why it’s important to find ways to reduce your stress levels on a daily basis.

Try going for a walk, playing with your pet, or talking to a friend when you feel stressed out. Make time for things that you enjoy, and try not to feel guilty about taking time to relax.

5) Sleep Well

Poor quality sleep can increase your chances of developing PD. This is because the neurotransmitter dopamine is involved in the sleep/wake cycle.

Many people with Parkinson’s experience symptoms like insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and night-time restlessness that make it harder to get a good night’s rest.

Natural remedies like melatonin or valerian root tea can help to improve the quality of your sleep. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements or medications, though.

In conclusion, there are many holistic techniques that can help people with PD manage their symptoms more effectively. Yoga, meditation, and eating a healthy diet are all good options that you may want to try out for yourself.