TMJ anyone?

I don't have a formal TMJ diagnosis, but I'm definitely a clencher. I don't grind, I just clench... and when I'm stressed, I'll do it day and night. Something that helps me when I'm clenching in the daytime is to place a pencil between my teeth and just bite down enough to hold it there - it relaxes my jaw.

Just to clairify- I was NOT talking about PT being covered by dental insurance. It IS usually covered by medical insurance however. Sometimes a dentist can refer you, just have to talk to your insurance provider. (I worked for a PT group for years. This was one of the #1 items we treated).

I have TMJ too.. So I feel your pain (and i know its a lot) I get it usually when I am stressed. I notice when I wake up my mouth is always clenched. I cant sleep with a night guard, So I always have a heating pad around, and meds! (meds are the best), but the heating pad does work. It calms it down.

I've also had ear pain from it. One year I thought it was an ear infection (before I knew I had TMJ) and went to the EMT and thats when he told me it was TMJ.

I feel your pain, mine's been acting up because I'm grinding like crazy all day and night with stress. I used to be so bad I was underweight because of a soft diet for over 2 years. ask your dentist for a referral to a TMJ specialist- mine's a periodontist but he doesn't treat my gums. once a month is too often for your to have to deal with this. I hope your insurance is better than mine and covers it but I doubt it, I spend thousands every year out of pocket with no help from BCBS. BS is right!