Nerve damage/TMJ

• 06-07-2006 3:32 AM

  stvatt Joined on 06-12-2004 Posts 15

  Nerve damage/TMJ Reply Contact I am a bass trombone teaching assistant at Arizona State, working on a masters in performance. Looks like I'm one of the first people to post a problem here! This past February, while playing, the nerve along my right sideburn and jawline went numb. There was no pain or loss of control, just numbness. I put the horn away and have not played very much since then. I have seen a number of different doctors, some believe I had a neuropraxia, trigeminal neuralgia, accompanied by a jaw sprain and TMD-like symptoms. None of them seemed to believe that I have the dreaded focal dystonia. The circumstances leading up to this were numerous. My playing load had been dramatically increased over a period of two weeks or so. Preparing a recital, orchestra sub work, extra school ensembles, etc. I believe I just over extended myself. It's possible that stress contributed, both mental and physical. I have been playing on an Edward's bass that just never felt 100% comfortable like the old Bach that I had, as far as facial tension goes. I am taking Advil and Fish Oil as anti-inflammatories, and have just recently added a supplement called Nerve Fix to my daily regimen. My TMJ specialist made a bite guard for me to wear while sleeping to reduce strain on the jaw. Other than rest, drinking lots of water, and applying hot/cold compresses no one has been able to give me any definite form of proactive treatment. Currently the numbness is gone, but it has been replaced by somewhat of a dull ache, similar to the feeling of a limb falling asleep and recovering. A couple of months afterwards I noticed that my bite was a bit offset, with jaw clicking and popping present on the right side. Irritation comes and goes, but never goes past moderate discomfort. I know compromised nerves can take long months if not years to fully recover, but I hope to recover by the start of the fall semester. Any other advice from you folks out there, or similar experiences?

• 06-07-2006 2:18 PM

  In reply to

  codyl Joined on 01-31-2003 Posts 297

  Re: Nerve damage/TMJ Reply Contact I don't have any advice for you, but I know that Jan Kagarice is very knowledgeable of things like this and works with many people (mainly focal dystonia victims: like Stefan Sanders, Bob Hughes). She might have previous knowledge about what happened to you and what you could do to remedy it. Or she might know someone who could help you better. You can email her at jan@kagarice.com I wish you the best of luck!

• 06-10-2006 9:50 PM

  In reply to

  Unicycle Joined on 04-16-2003 Montreal, Canada Posts 133

  Re: Nerve damage/TMJ Reply Contact Hi, I've been dealing with TMJ issues for a few years now, and although I don't have time for my long sad story right now, I have some thoughts to throw out. I don't know of any good surveys, but if you ask around you will find that the number of brass players who have suffered from various forms of Jaw problems is surprising. From my experiences anywhere from 1/3rd to half (at least). 'TMJ'is a poorly understood condition (both by musicians, and the medical community) and it varies widely between different individuals. I'm sure you can find plenty of info on the internet of all sorts. The bottom line is that you need to find out through trial and error what works for you. That is, what you need to do or not do to keep the condition under control, allowing you to persue your playing. Yes, I've found physical and emotional stresses play a huge role in the problem. The Jaw clicking/popping is a common with TMJ problems. Some suggestions: - regulating how much/when you play, it might be as simple as just being careful not to overextend yourself - hot/cold compress (hot is much more widely reccomended, but try both and do whatever works for you) - I found the stretching to deal with the tension only makes it worse, far worse - be gentle. avoid anything that puts undue stresses on your jaw such as chewing bubble gum, hard candy, etc. - Advil and other anti-inflamitories are great - as reccomended by my dentist, I've found Robax Platinum (a muscle relaxant + anti-inflamitory) to be very effective when the condition becomes severe. It's non prescription in Canada and I think it is in the states as well. If surgery comes up as a possible solution, be very wary. Like I said, TMJ isn't very well understood by the medical profession, so just make darn sure you know what you're getting into before you even consider something as drastic as oral surgery. That's all for now. Take it easy, ask around, and be patient. You're certianly not alone on this one. Best of luck! Nathan Chandler

• 10-13-2007 6:28 PM

  In reply to

  ronkny Joined on 10-13-2007 Seattle,WA USA Posts 5	Re: Nerve damage/TMJ Reply Contact I'm a low brass geek and dentist. Check with your own dentist first. REST often. Ice when the discomfort is acute. Heat later. NO gum chewing. Cut food into smaller pieces. Flat nightguard made by your dentist. Surgery RARELY!!!!! Good Luck

• 10-27-2007 2:15 PM

  In reply to

  Micah Everett Joined on 05-27-2006 Monroe, LA USA Posts 2

  Re: Nerve damage/TMJ Reply Contact I have had good success recently by visiting a chiropractor. Before you think that sounds out of place, I will say that he made sure that I had addressed the dental issues before he saw me (I do have a nightguard...which I often wear during the day as well--it's great). The nightguard, combined with occasional muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories, reduced the pain by about 50%. What the chiropractor found is that not only the TMJ but also the muscles and vertebrae in my neck and back were "out of whack," and causing part of the pain in that area. I have had only 5 visits so far, but I can honestly say that the pain has been reduced a further 50-70% through his adjustments, including adjustment of the spine and manipulation of the muscles in the neck, back, and mouth (yes, inside the mouth...scary, but effective). I know some folks think that chiropractors and other "alternative" practitioners are "quacks," but so far I have found chiropractic combined with "standard" dental care to be effective. My $.02

• 04-11-2008 11:04 AM

  In reply to

  MoominDave Joined on 02-13-2008 Oxford, UK Posts 22

  Re: Nerve damage/TMJ Reply Contact Snap! During a severe episode of a TMJ problem, I started seeing a McTimoney Chiropracter, who made exactly the same diagnosis - that letting related muscles be used more efficiently by carefully aligning my pelvis and my back would speed my recovery from the ongoing muscular spasm that was locking my jaw. I also (previously to starting chiropractic treatment) made an appointment with the healthcare authorities to see a specialist as soon as possible; but 'as soon as possible' was not for 6 months... By the time my appointment came around, the problem was much improved, and the sum total of the doctor's advice was to continue seeing the chiropracter... Dave Taylor (me, not the other one)

• 12-18-2009 9:41 PM

  In reply to

  bbonecrazy Joined on 09-01-2008 Posts 12

  Re: Nerve damage/TMJ Reply Contact I dont think you have TMJ. It does not sound like its your jaw but it sounds like the plates that hold your jaw to yourskull. Your have probly over streached them. have you had a car accident or yawn and it hurt afterwards? That could be one explination. Another is that all passage ways that air can go through are all conected. You ears, nose, and yes, your jaw as well is connected with these tubes. Putting tons of air preasure is going to be damaging to you. If your forcing out the air it expands these tubes and is very painfull. hope this helps Getzen 1062 FDR Greigo CS1