TMJ (temporomandibular joint)

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Some cases of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome are due to Wind,

Cold, and/or Dampness invasion. In other words, Bi Syndrome, aka

Painful Obstruction Syndrome.

 

Some TMJ sufferers will report that they only have pain in the jaw

when the weather is changing, particularly when a storm is moving

in. They may also experience headaches at such a time.

 

Surgery probably is not going to do any good in these Wind-Cold-

Dampness invasion cases of TMJ, and may even end up making the

problem worse. One wants to concentrate on expeling the Wind and

Dampness (there is a special class of herbs for this) and warming the

Exterior (if Cold is part of the problem - also a special class of

herbs for this). One also wants to identify why the person is so

susceptible to Exterior Pernicious Evils, and correct this.

Protective Qi Deficiency? Blood Deficiency? Yang Deficiency? Etc.

Sometimes the reason for susceptibility may be more localized. Like

the jaw having been injured years before, or the person sleeping in a

cold, drafty room with the jaw exposed.

 

Some cases of TMJ may be due to Liver imbalance, unresolved emotions,

and teeth grinding. Some cases of TMJ are due to structural problems

the person was born with or developed. The structural cases are the

ones that surgery most likely would be indicated for. (Please check

with experts before deciding on your own.)

 

Michael Reed Gach in Acupressure's Potent Points recommends the

Stomach 6 point in cases of teeth grinding. He had problems with

this. He says that even today he sometimes has problems with stress

tends to collect in his jaws, and that a few minutes of pressing the

St 6 point relieves the problem. The Stomach 6 point is " between the

upper and lower jaw, on the (masseter) muscle that bulges when the

back teeth are clenched. (p. 144) For those without an acupoint

chart, put your finger on your temple in the area between the outer

edge of the eye and the hairline. Put keeping your finger on this

area, lay the palm of your hand on your face. Clench you teeth and

feel the muscle that bulges. This is the masseter muscle. Follow it

down almost the the end of the jaw, in the area between the line of

the jaw and the lower teeth. This point may be sore in people

needing to work it.

 

Victoria