TMJ FAQs
Q: How did my jaw muscles become so tight and constricted?
Q: Why are bite splints the number one treatment for TMJ?
Q: Why don't bite splints alone stop the pain?
Q: Why do muscles in spasm (trigger points) cause so much pain?
Q: Why do some people get TMJ after braces or other extensive dental work?
Q: Why does improper jaw function affect other parts of the body?
Q: I have TMJ. Why can't I open my mouth very wide?
Q: Why is trigger point release therapy not widely used in the mouth?
Q: Why do you recommend Dr. Uppgaard's book, Taking Control of TMJ, if your system works so well?
Q: What is your shipping policy?
Q: How do I take care of my MyoFree® tool?
Q: Where is your company located?
Q: Where is the MyoFree® Solution made?
Q: How can I contact TMJ Pain Solutions, LLC?
Q: Can I see how the MyoFree® Solution works before I decide to purchase it?
Q: Can I purchase the MyoFree® Solution for someone else and have it shipped to them?
Answers
Q: How did my jaw muscles become so tight and constricted?
A: Any number of factors can cause your jaw muscles to become tight, such as direct trauma, like a car accident. If you clench your jaw or grind your teeth, that will cause your jaw muscles to tighten, too. A jaw misalignment, even minor, can put the jaw muscles into chronic spasm. Sometimes something seemingly harmless, like gum chewing, might set off muscle spasms in your jaw.
Q: Why are bite splints the number one treatment for TMJ?
A: Because bite splints help realign the jaw, which stabilizes the joint and allows it to heal. Also, bite splints help to prevent wear and tear on both the teeth and joints for those who clench and/or grind their teeth.
Q: Why don't bite splints alone stop the pain?
A: You will probably feel some degree of relief with a bite splint, since re-aligning your jaw properly will help ease muscle spasms. But, for the muscles that have been in chronic spasm, you must treat the root cause of the spasm, the trigger point(s). Only trigger point release therapy will release the spasm and bring about lasting pain relief.
Q: Why do muscles in spasm (trigger points) cause so much pain?
A: There are approximately 300 muscles that attach to the jaw, skull, and neck. Any muscle dysfunction can restrict blood flow in the blood vessels that pass through the muscles, as well as compress the nerves that also run through the muscles. This can cause pain in the jaw, ear, eyes, face, sinuses, teeth, neck, and shoulders, as well as all types of headaches.
Q: Why do some people get TMJ after braces or other extensive dental work?
A: Sometimes, braces or other dental work can cause muscle tension. This tension may cause the jaw to shift or misalign, which results in trigger point(s). Muscle tension alone can also evolve into full-blown trigger points very quickly. Until the muscle is restored to its normal, elongated, relaxed state, it will be painful.
According to www.migraineheadachepain.com, some studies show that 50% of patients that complete orthodontic treatment end up with jaw dysfunction.
Q: Why does improper jaw function affect other parts of the body?
A: When the jaw does not function properly, muscle spasms and trigger points occur. This tension travels like a chain reaction through other parts of the body, most commonly to the neck and shoulders. When these trigger points are released, one of the first things that people feel is deep relaxation throughout the face and jaw, as well as the neck and shoulders.
Q: I have TMJ. Why can't I open my mouth very wide?
A: Muscles that are locked into deep spasms become very hard, and do not move or stretch like normal, relaxed muscle. If the muscles surrounding your jaw joint are in deep enough spasm, they will prevent the mouth from opening normally. Once these muscle spasms are inactivated, the mouth should regain normal function.
Q: Why is trigger point release therapy not widely used in the mouth?
A: Until now, until the MyoFree® tool, there was no easy way to reach the muscles inside your mouth. Fingers and thumbs are too cumbersome, not long enough, and are also too thick, which causes many people to gag. This special tool-the MyoFree® tool-has been in development for over 3 years!
Q: I feel pain when I start applying the Inside-Outside™ technique to the trigger points inside my mouth. Is this normal?
A: Yes, this is normal. Be sure you don't push hard enough to cause bruising! The point of the Inside-Outside™ technique and all trigger point release therapy is not to cause pain for the sake of causing pain. You're already in pain!
Remember, when a muscle gets locked into spasm and creates a trigger point, it hurts because the trigger point has clamped down like a vice grip on the muscle fibers, nerves and blood vessels that travel through it. Since the trigger point already hurts, anything you do to it will probably also be painful.
Trigger point release therapy, which is the basis of the Inside-Outside™ technique, is the application of sustained pressure directly onto a trigger point. This means you will directly contact the trigger point, which is painful, and then add pressure, which may temporarily increase your pain level until the trigger point releases. Then you will feel a flood of pain relief.
Q: How do I correctly use the Inside-Outside™ technique? How do I know if I'm releasing the trigger point correctly?
A: Apply the Inside-Outside™ technique slowly, pressing gently but firmly right into the trigger point. At the same time, use the thumb (or finger, depending on the technique, which is described in detail in the DVD) of your opposite hand to press on the other side of the trigger point from the outside of your mouth.
Again, this will temporarily increase the pain level, as you continue to press firmly. Do not press hard enough to cause great increases in pain, or past your pain threshold.
After a certain amount of time and/or pressure, the trigger point will release. You will feel it melt, or maybe jump, or it might just "let go". When this happens, you'll feel an immediate flood of pain relief. This is how you know you did it correctly. Please refer to the instructional DVD for complete, step-by-step instructions.
Q: Why do you recommend Dr. Uppgaard's book, Taking Control of TMJ, if your system works so well?
A: While we teach you how to use intra-oral trigger point release therapy in great detail, Dr. Uppgaard teaches you how to fully understand TMJ from a full body perspective. He explains how the entire body is involved, identifies harmful habits and stressors that contribute to the problem, discusses postural problems, illustrates facial exercises that can help, and so forth. He is highly regarded as an international expert on TMJ. We feel you will learn a lot from his work.
Q: What is your shipping policy?
A: Please click here for shipping policies.
Q: Can I return it?
A: Your MyoFree® tool is a personal device, therefore we cannot accept returns.
Q: How do I take care of my MyoFree® tool?
A: We recommend you thoroughly wash the MyoFree® tool with soap and water before and after every use. Dry it completely before placing it in the storage bag.
Q: Where is your company located?
A: TMJ Pain Solutions, LLC, is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Q: Where is the MyoFree® Solution made?
A: The MyoFree® Solution is proudly made in the USA!
Q: How can I contact TMJ Pain Solutions, LLC?
A: You may reach us by by using our contact form.
Q: Can I see how the MyoFree® Solution works before I decide to purchase it?
A: Yes, you can! There are several short video clips on our website. These clips show you how to use the MyoFree® tool and the Inside-Outside™ technique. Visit our community at tmjpainsolutions.ning.com for even more video clips and photos.
Q: I am a health care professional and would like to sell the MyoFree® Solution to my patients. Do you offer wholesale accounts?
A: Yes, we do. Please contact us by using our contact form.
Q: Can I purchase the MyoFree® Solution for someone else and have it shipped to them?
A: According to PayPal policies, we can only ship to confirmed addresses. This protects you against unauthorized charges on your credit card and unauthorized withdrawals from your bank account.
