Conquering (TMD) and Chronic Pain: Simple Tips for Relief

Published by Maria Polymeneas on 14/07/2024

Conquering (TMD) and Chronic Pain: Simple Tips for Relief

Struggling with TMD pain relief? Managing Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and chronic pain requires a holistic approach that addresses both physical and psychological factors.

During Chronic Pain Week (22^nd to 28^th July 2024) in Australia, let’s talk about how to manage Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and chronic pain from a psychological perspective. TMD affects the jaw joint and muscles, causing pain and difficulty in moving the jaw. Understanding the mind-body connection can help us find relief and improve our quality of life.

Although the terms “TMJ” and “TMD” are often confused, they refer to different — though related — things.

“TMJ” refers to the temporomandibular joint, a hinge-like joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull. “TMD” is a condition that affects the TMJ, and it stands for temporomandibular joint disorder.

TMD occurs when there’s damage to your TMJ. It often causes severe, persistent pain, discomfort, and inflammation.

I work with a number of excellent Dentists and Prosthodontists in Adelaide to help clients manage their TMD symptoms and to reduce their pain.

I particularly love working in this area as I have to be on top of my own TMD condition. In times of stress, the first thing I tune in to is my jaw and check on what it’s doing. People feel stress in their shoulders, their gut etc but I and many other people feel it in our jaw!

I could get all Freudian on you and say that during times of stress, we “bite back our words…” but it’s probably a combination of things. However, the main reason for long term TMD conditions is simple - “clenching is a habit” and we need to retrain our brain.

Understanding TMD/TMJ Disorders

A human skeleton skull showing the teeth and TMJ letters in front

TMD disorders affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, leading to symptoms such as:

Jaw pain.
Difficulty chewing.
Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw.
Headaches.
Earaches.
Facial pain.
Dizziness.

Proprioception and TMD

Proprioception, our "seventh sense," is our ability to sense the position and movement of our body parts. Poor proprioception can make it hard to keep our jaw aligned properly, which can lead to more pain and discomfort. Improving proprioception through specific mindfulness exercises can help reduce TMD symptoms.

Psychological Causes

Stress and Anxiety: These can increase muscle tension and pain. Managing stress through relaxation techniques can help.
Depression: Chronic pain can lead to feelings of hopelessness, making it harder to cope. Addressing depression can improve pain management.
Thought Patterns: Negative thinking about pain can make it feel worse. Changing these thought patterns can reduce pain perception.

Effective Psychological Strategies

Hypnosis: Hypnosis offers a unique and holistic approach to managing TMJ disorders. By reducing stress, altering pain perception, and modifying harmful behaviours, hypnotherapy can complement traditional treatments and provide significant relief for those suffering from TMJ. If you’re struggling with TMJ pain, consider exploring hypnosis as a part of your comprehensive pain management strategy.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps change negative thoughts and behaviours related to pain. Techniques include relaxation, stress management, and positive thinking.
Biofeedback: This technique helps you control muscle tension and reduce pain by providing real-time feedback on your body’s functions.
Education and Self-Management: Learning about chronic pain and how to manage it can empower you to take control of your condition.
Multidisciplinary Approaches: Combining psychological therapies with medical treatments offers a comprehensive approach to managing TMD and chronic pain.

A Client’s Personal Journey

Peter, a 63 year old man who had been injured at work, started clenching and grinding his teeth. The reason I started to look into this was that he would often wake with headaches and a sore jaw. His insurer refused to buy him a night splint and he refused to buy it for himself. This would have cost approx. $700. Over the next 9 months he ground down his teeth and needed 10+ dental implants at a massive cost of $50,000 and lots of pain!

This could have been avoided by the use of a night splint and hypnosis to help him tune in to his body (jaw) and realise when his teeth were touching. Much later, Peter decided he needed to learn to retrain his brain and stop clenching or he would damage the implants.

We used a combination of hypnosis and mindfulness to significantly reduce Peter’s clenching/grinding. His headaches also improved to one a month from 3-4 per week.

Moving Forward

During Chronic Pain Week, remember that managing TMD and chronic pain involves much more than just physical treatments. Addressing stress, anxiety, and proprioception can make a big difference. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with TMD or chronic pain, consider these strategies. They might be the key to a better life.

TIP: Never chew gum if you have TMD symptoms. It will make the symptoms worse.

If you are interested in speaking to one of our psychologists about this, please contact us on 08 7095 3484 or via our website https://paragonpsychconnect.com.au/contact/

Maria Polymeneas

Maria works with adolescents and adults in managing a variety of health conditions. She has over 3 decades of experience as a psychologist with her key areas of interest within the pain management, anxiety and capacity building arenas. She is one of the few expert psychologists in Australia in pain management. Maria is collaborative and practical in her approach to therapy and enjoys complex problems.