Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) - How Acupuncture Can Relieve Pain and Resolve Symptoms

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) is a common disorder that affects the joints of the upper and lower jaw. It may cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joints, as well as other symptoms such as headaches, ringing in the ears, and neck and shoulder pain. The pain is often so intense that it limits food choices and adversely affects quality of life. Though determining the cause of the pain is often fairly straight forward, treating and managing the pain can be more challenging.

There are a number of muscles and tendons that help support the TMJ. We use them consciously during the day when we speak, chew, yawn, etc. and they often get used subconsciously during the night as well. This usually presents as grinding of the teeth, often a symptom of stress or anxiety, and one of the primary causes of TMJ dysfunction. Other causes of TMJ dysfunction include structural issues within the joints, muscle tension and pain, arthritis, and hypermobility. Any of these conditions may put excessive strain and pressure on the muscles and tendons of the joint, as well as disrupt the natural conformation of the bite. Either of these situations may result in pain of the TMJ or surrounding area.

TMJ dysfunction is most commonly diagnosed by a dentist or doctor doing a physical exam. Clinical presentation of the joint and surrounding muscles and tendons, as well as symptoms described by the patient are usually enough to diagnose the condition. Treatment is generally approached in two ways: use of a plastic Splint that is fitted for either the upper or lower teeth and worn during the day or night, and use of analgesics (pain medication). In more severe cases where muscle tension is the primary cause of discomfort, muscle relaxants may be prescribed. A number of patients do experience some relief of their symptoms when these two modalities are used, however, further relief and resolution of symptoms can usually be accomplished with acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been shown to be a highly effective method for reducing the pain of this disorder as well as restoring effective joint function. It can help to relax the muscles surrounding the joints, as well as treat the underlying stress that often accompanies these overworked muscles. One of the great benefits of acupuncture is that it can be used on its own or in conjunction with western methods of treatment/management. A complimentary approach is often the best choice for optimizing pain control as well as addressing many other aspects of the condition.

When pursing treatment with acupuncture, a complete health assessment is performed to determine the underlying reason for the condition. This assessment is done from an eastern medicine perspective, to make a diagnosis based on the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The result of the assessment determines how each individual case will be treated. Just as western medicine will diagnose different reasons for the TMJ dysfunction, TCM will also diagnose a particular pattern or differentiation for each patient. One of the general premises of TCM is that where there is pain, there is obstruction. This can be an obstruction of the flow of vital energy called Qi, poor circulation of blood, poor supply of oxygen, etc. The goal of treatment is to remove the obstruction, improve free flow of qi and blood, and thus relieve the pain. This is accomplished by using special acupoints on the face, ear, and other areas of the body.

The thought of having needles put in ones face may seem somewhat daunting, however it is really a relatively painless procedure. The use of special high quality needles that are extra fine, laser sharpened, and lubricated are used to substantially reduce if not eliminate any discomfort. The acupoints that are typically used to treat and manage TMJ dysfunction are located on the cheeks, fairly close to the ear, and directly in front of the ear. These points will act to relax the muscles around the joint and allow a more natural alignment of the jaw. They improve the circulation and movement of Qi, allowing a better supply of qi and blood to nourish the joint. This will also help to clear out any built up toxins and residual materials from the joint. Depending on what the TCM pattern or differentiation is, other points on the hands, wrists, arms, and feet and legs may be used as well.

As an adjunct to classical acupuncture, Auricular acupuncture can also be used as a very effective add on to manage this condition and quickly help to relieve pain. Auricular medicine is based on the theory that the ear holds a hologram of the whole human body. By treating the corresponding points on the ear, you can affect these points on the body. Instead of needles, special seeds can be used to stimulate points on the ear. A single seed is placed on a small square of adhesive tape, and this is affixed to the ear on the point(s) of interest. These are then stimulated with massage by the patient three times a day for 30 second intervals. The seeds stay on for 3 to 5 days, helping to extend the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment, as well as supporting the actual treatment of the condition. This combination of classical acupuncture with auricular medicine is a highly effective method to relieve the pain and resolve the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.

TMJ is often a painful, debilitating, and chronic condition that can severely compromise ones quality of life. Using acupuncture and TCM principles to address the cause and symptoms may enable you to achieve fast, effective pain relief and may promote long term resolution of symptoms. Correction of the underlying imbalance that allowed the condition to manifest will reduce the likelihood of recurrence. As acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with treatment that your dentist or doctor recommends, it is an ideal solution to the difficulties that treatment and management of TMJ presents.

Common Orthodontic Questions Answered

These are among the most commonly asked questions to orthodontists by their patients and the parents of their patients.

Do Friction-less Brackets (Self-ligating brackets) reduce treatment time compare to conventional brackets?

In recent years, self-ligating brackets have become popular among orthodontists due to the claim by the manufactures of these appliances that self-ligating brackets create less friction with faster tooth movement, which would result in shorter treatment time.

However recent published studies evaluating effectiveness of self-ligating brackets show that self-ligating brackets and conventional brackets treat malocclusion in relatively same amount of time and with a similar number of appointments. So shorter treatment time is not a proven reason to use these brackets.

Does tooth extraction in an orthodontic treatment cause joint disorder or compromise facial esthetics?

Esthetics is usually judged by the quality of smile and the person's profile. There are no studies documenting the fact that smiles are less esthetic after an orthodontic treatment with tooth extraction. Almost all studies show that the difference between post treatment profiles of extraction and non-extraction patients is not detectable. For example judges could not distinguish between the photos of extraction and non-extraction treatments in most cases. Extraction of teeth does not cause joint disorder.

Does early trauma to primary tooth cause discoloration of the permanent tooth?

Injuries to the primary teeth are very likely when kids are three years old or younger learning how to walk and are less stable. Recent studies have shown that injury to the primary tooth can cause a yellow-brown or a white spot discoloration to the enamel of the permanent tooth.

How does orthodontic treatment affect Jaw Joint Disorder- Tempromandibular Disorder (TMD)?

Orthodontic treatment neither causes nor prevents TMD. The result of a very large epidemiologic study that looked into relationship of orthodontic treatment to TMD showed:

• No significant association between a bad bite and persistent TMD


• No significant association between orthodontic treatment and TMD incidence


• TMD prevalence is higher in females than males


• Being a female was found to be a predictor for both incidence and persistence of TMD


• TMD prevalence was highest at age 19-20

Should I extract my third molars (wisdom teeth)?

There is no good data to support the fact that eruption of third molars can cause relapse of crowding after an orthodontic treatment. It is recommended, however, to remove third molars if it improves the health of second molars (tipped third molars can cause cavity for second molars) or if they are not fully erupted. If the third molars are completely under the bone and left intact, the possibility of fracture of the lower jaw is 2.5 times higher during a traumatic accident.

Is using a pacifier under the age of five related to the bite problems (e.g. posterior cross bite)?

The odds of developing a posterior cross bite are 50% greater when a pacifier is used and cross bite is not self-correcting once the habit is stopped. However, there are other factors causing cross bite such as genetic disposition and respiratory function.

How to treat the under bite or edge-to-edge bite with headgear

The best age to check with an orthodontist for an under bite is age 7 to 8. To correct skeletal under bite (upper jaw smaller than lower jaw), we need to take advantage of the upper jaw growth. However, on the average, upper jaw growth diminishes significantly by age 11, so the best time to treat these cases is from age 7-10. Treatment will require wearing a headgear to pull the upper jaw forward (bone movement) at least 14 hours a day, including nighttime sleeping with it. The upper jaw is moved forward continuously until the growth of the lower jaw stops. More than 75% of time this modality of treatment has long-term success, however, surgical treatment may be necessary if the patient is not seen at the right time (before age 11), or if the patient is not cooperating in wearing the headgear during the orthodontic treatment, and/or the amount of growth of the lower jaw is significant.

The Best Natural Cures for TMJ

The best cures for TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorder are natural ones. Natural cures for TMJ would include stretches and exercises that would do the same for the TMJ or jaw joint as normal physical therapy exercises would do for your knee or ankle.

A mainstay of physical therapy guidelines is to first reduce the swelling and try to restore normal range of motion with stretching exercises. Then use other exercises to repair and strengthen the muscles to prevent re-injury. There are dozens of simple exercises you can find online that you can try to see if they help.

If you have a lot of pain associated with your TMJ disorder you may want to try ice packs or heating pads. Use one or the other and if it doesn't work try the other. Just apply either one for about 10 minutes at a time to help relieve your pain.

To work on your stress levels you can try some Yoga breathing exercises or some other stress reducing activities. You could lessen the list of things you are trying to do each day and start listening to some soothing music regularly. When you do stress reducing therapy you need to try to clear your mind and learn to relax every muscle in your body.

You could change your diet to only include soft foods. If some foods you feel you must have are somewhat chewy you should cut it into tiny pieces before eating it. Also, don't eat foods that are hard or crunchy like nuts or raw vegetables.

One thing that will help you is to find a magnesium supplement and start taking that. Magnesium will help to reduce swelling and offer some natural pain relief for your jaw and head.

There are a few cures for TMJ you may want to stay away from. They would include surgery which is very painful and expensive not to mention highly invasive and unproven, drugs which would only give you temporary relief and side affects you don't need, and TMJ guards which are plastic or nylon tooth guards that you sleep with in your mouth.

The TMJ guards can actually give you a TMJ cure depending on the cause of your disorder and whatever TMJ symptoms you are suffering from. They have been known to work great if the doctor is experienced using them. You would need to make sure to get a thorough exam from a dentist that has experience with TMJ symptoms in order to figure out the root cause and an effective treatment plan.

Cures for TMJ need to be tailored to fit each patient depending on the root cause and the symptoms that are presenting. The most common root cause of TMJ is stress, tension, or anxiety which leads some people to grinding their teeth in their sleep or clenching their jaw unconsciously. If that is the case with you your treatment plan will need to address that as well as your TMJ symptoms because, if not, you will continue to do damage to your TMJ in your sleep or unconsciously.

Another thing you can do is network with other TMJ patients. If you find someone with similar symptom they may be able to put you on the right path to finding your own cures for TMJ.

Sources Of That Pain In The Buttocks

The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body and pain in the buttocks area may occur when the nerve is pressed or impinged. The nerve descends from the lumbar area of the spine into two branches down to each buttock, back of the leg and to the foot.

There are many causes of pain in the buttocks including anal and rectal medical conditions. Osteoarthiritis or wear-and-tear hip arthritis is a degenerative joint disease wearing away the cartilage of the joint that may also be causing buttocks pain. Another cause for pain in the buttocks is claudification caused by obstruction of the aorta or the common iliac artery. There are also incidences of sacroiliac joint inflammation called sacroilitis which maybe caused by arthritis, traumatic injury or a blow to the buttock or pelvic region causing injury to the joint connecting the spine to the pelvis and lower skeletons. Spondyloarthropaties on the other hand, are inflammatory conditions usually found in the vertebral column sometimes involving the sacroiliac joint and affect the ligaments and tendons attached to the bone in the knee, foot or hip. Inflammation from these and other types of inflammation causes the pain in the buttocks symptoms

A very serious condition that requires long courses of antibiotic treatment is Pott's disease or the TB infection of the spine. Brucellosis is another bacterial infection that may affect the sacroiliac joints that have discovered to be transmitted from goat's milk. Another infection characterized by local inflammation caused by pyogenic bacteria is called pyogenic infection causing common disease processes and pain in buttocks. And there are of course the primary tumor and the secondary tumor of the pelvic bone which causes considerable pain in the area of the buttocks. In elderly persons specially, a pelvis fracture involving the pelvis, hip bone, coccyx and sacrum will bring pain in the buttocks.

Paget's disease happens when the bones grow abnormally larger and weaker and may cause bones in the spine, skull, legs and pelvis to break easily. Another inflammatory disorder involving the hip and shoulder area is called polymyalgia rheumatica which can occur in people over 50 years old. Ankylosing spondylitis is another term which causes inflammation of the joints between the spine and pelvis eventually causing the affected bones to join together.

Trochanteric bursitis is also known as the greater trochanteric pain syndrome or GTPS, another inflammation of the bursa, the shock absorber adjacent to the femur. When the inflammation is in the hip area, the pain in the buttocks is often felt radiating down to the thigh.

Also a probable cause of buttocks pain is Leriche's syndrome which may involve the abdominal aorta and may also be occurring in one or both of the iliac arteries. The syndrome's symptoms may consist of the atrophy of the leg muscles, impotence and paralysis of the nerve and claudification of the thighs and buttocks. Physical trauma, accidents, inflicted wounds or accidental wounds are other causes of the pain in the buttocks and thigh areas. Pregnancy should never be removed from the list of probable causes, as the growing baby causes pressure on muscles and nerves of the soon-to-be mother.

Piriformis syndrome causes pain in the buttocks because the muscles press down on the nerve bringing about inflammation of the sacroiliac joint at the base of the spine, resulting in sprain of the iliolumbar ligament, or brings about referred pain from the lower back problems.

The buttocks are thick muscular areas that are seemingly impenetrable. But pain in the buttocks and lower thighs are usually from disorders and diseases in the spinal and lumbar areas that should not be taken lightly. A thorough examination by your doctor will keep you healthy and prevent further degeneration and damage to your most vital body parts.

Shoulder Pain Remedies - Natural Ways to Alleviate Shoulder Pains

Shoulder pain is a common complaint among many people these days. Indeed, your shoulder joints are prone to injuries and pain as it is one of the most used joints in the body especially when it comes to lifting heavy objects or pushing heavy loads. However, shoulder pain can also result from the lack of activity on your shoulders.

Pain in your shoulders can be a result of many conditions and causes. It can be due to a general wear and tear as you grow old, or constant use of your shoulders in activities and sports such as playing volleyball, baseball pitching as well as lifting heavy weights. Injuries are also culprits of pain even years after the injury happened.

Pain in the shoulders can also be brought about by other conditions such as arthritis, frozen shoulder syndrome, bursitis, and inflammation of the tendons as well as dislocation of your shoulders.

As there are many causes and reasons for pain on the shoulders, it is important that you consult your doctor if the pain is unbearable or constantly bothering you. Of course, you know the intensity of the pain, and you would know too when to call help. If you are constantly bugged by shoulder pain, you can also find shoulder pain remedies that you can readily use and apply to help alleviate or get rid of the pain.

If you are one of the many who complain on pain on the shoulders, here are a few ways that can help you find relief the natural way.

Exercises

Exercise is one of the most effective ways and shoulder pain remedies that you can do to get rid of the pain. Among these are the simple exercises that allow you to move your shoulder joints and alleviate the pain. The range of motion for example is a good exercise for pain in the shoulders. This is done by moving your dangling arms in circle while you lean on a table.

You can also make use of simple equipment like rubber tubing for some other simple exercises such as those rotator cuff strengthening exercises. Aerobic exercises are also good to help you improve your blood circulation and reduce soreness of the tendons in your shoulder that can also be a cause of pain. However, it is important that you also not overdo it as it can also worsen your condition.

Home Remedies

Aside from simple exercises that you can do to alleviate the pain on your shoulders, you can also do some simple shoulder pain remedies at home that can also help you overcome the pain. Treating the affected area with ice for about fifteen minutes can be another helpful remedy. Depending on the cause of your shoulder pain, you can also make use of heat therapy for your pain.

If you are experiencing more unbearable pain or consistent pain in your shoulders, it is important as well to seek advice from your doctor. Of course, fractures, injuries and other serious causes of pain should be seen by a doctor right away for proper diagnosis.

Your Cat May Be Suffering in Silence!

Cats have a natural instinct to suffer in silence. Cats can be hurting and unless you are alert to your cat's behavior you may never know it has a problem until it becomes too late to do anything about it.

One of the silent causes of a cat's suffering is degenerative joint disease (DJD). According to current research this is happening to cats more than most people realize.

What is degenerative joint disease (DJD)? A healthy joint has cartilage covering and cushioning the ends of opposing bones. When the cartilage (which does not have any nerves) wears away and the bone (which does have nerves) touches another bone without the benefit of a cartilage cushion, stiffness, pain and inflammation happen. Along with this pain, bony projections form on the exposed bone causing the poor cat more pain.

Cats have a habit of trying to not exhibit the fact that they are hurting and as a result the degeneration is often hidden until a vet notices something is really wrong.

What are the signs of pain your cat may be silently exhibiting? Of course the most obvious sign maybe lameness or a subtle limp, but most often a cat will do other things to throw you off the track such as:

• Such things a hiding, keeping out of sight, which is a natural instinct to protect themselves from predators when they are not feeling well.


• Licking and biting a particular area on their bodies, not normal grooming, but a continual licking, as if to lick or bite the pain away.


• Looking for warm or soft places to rest.


• Limiting its trips to the food and water dishes because it hurts to walk


• Missing the litter box, the digging hurts the joint.


• Grooming themselves less.


• Not jumping up on favorite chairs or places.

Research has shown that decrease jumping is the most common sign. If you feed your cat on a counter or high place and notice that it is not eating like it usually does it maybe a sure sign your cat has a joint problem. Not eating or drinking can cause your cat to become dehydrated and to lose weight.

Detecting signs of DJD can be difficult as cats are light on their feet and can compensate for the pain. Many times it is not until the cat becomes much older that you recognize there is a problem. For example when petting your cat in a certain area it suddenly growls or bites if you touch a joint, that generally is a sign of DJD. It is normal for cat owners when they see decreased activity or a loss of appetite to think it is part of aging, when it really is a sign of degenerative joint disease.

Early treatment by your vet can make your cat's life much simpler and less painful, but is sometimes hard to detect.

There are two types of DJD. Primary DJD is the result of normal wear and tear on the joints as the cat gets older. Secondary DJD is caused by other conditions that may affect the joints such as trauma to a joint from a fall, possible hip dysplasia (yes, cats can have it), congenital malformed joints, tumors, bacterial and fungal infections or autoimmune diseases.

According to a study that was done by the "Journal of Small Animal Practice" in August of 2006 it showed that DJD showed up in the elbow of cats, 45 percent of the time and in the hip, 38 percent of the time. However some vets and researchers suspect that the real cause of lameness is not a joint problem, but the instability of the lumbar vertebrae (the last bones of the back) and the sacrum (the triangular bone that attaches the lumbar to the pelvis).

It is recommended that your vet can help you determine the actual cause of your pet's discomfort by the manipulation and the feel of each joint in the front and rear limbs for heat, pain and swelling. However, it is really you, that can provide the best information by knowing and watching you cat in your everyday observations of your cat's behavior. Bonding and knowing your cat is the best advice I can give because if you do that, you and only you really know your cat and its behavior.

What to Do When You Have TMJ Disorder

When you think that there is something wrong with with you and the symptoms are just like TMJ disorder and you have read and studied the symptoms carefully, then you can take some precautionary steps to prevent it from becoming a danger for you.

The first thing that you can do is to rest the jaw. This means that you should not use it until it is desperately needed. Pain is felt if the jaws are opened widely. This should also be avoided.

Chewing of things that are too hard to bite and chewing gums should be avoided. Rather soft food and liquid food should be taken so that rest is given to the mouth. With this, some medications with the consult of doctor should also be taken. Never take a pain killer without the permission of a doctor.

Hamburger and things like that which requires your mouth to be opened widely should be avoided. If proper care is not taken, the results could be more dangerous than what it would be. With this care, proper medication and consultation with the doctors should also be taken in order to prevent anything that is not good for the person suffering from TMJ disorder.

More than 80% of the patients of TMJ disorder have pain in the head. If you also feel something like that then you have to take care of that. This pan could be more when you are using your jaws. You can take some pain killer if the doctor recommends you. This headache can be severe or of low intensity depending on the condition of the person.

So, with proper care and medication, this an be prevented from surgery.

Arthritis Treatment Through the Holistic Approach

Arthritis is characterized by joint pain and inflammation and it affects quite a large percentage of people. There are varied and different forms of this disease and when left neglected can create much havoc. Among them are physical and mobility limitations, deformity and even debilitation. When one is living with arthritis, it can cause significant inconvenience. Arthritis treatment options are available, either through conventional methods or through the holistic approach to mention the basics. Many well know of conventional means for arthritis treatment. They can be through pharmaceutical drugs or certain procedures or even surgery. These are regarded as mainstream arthritis treatment measures.

But often, they come with side effects which entail other discomforts. Such is why there are those who turn to holistic medicine. The holistic approach for arthritis treatment is becoming quite popular. Holistic medicine offers a lasting relief from arthritic pain and inflammation. This approach to arthritis states that the disease is caused by several factors. Contributing to its different forms are not only physical imbalances but mental and environmental irregularities as well. To treat the disease properly requires an assessment of the factors which caused it. A battery of diagnostic tools are used to create an individual picture of the patient's case.

Among these diagnostic tools are physical exams, emotional evaluations, dietary assessments and tests for the immune and digestive functions. The holistic medicine practitioner takes time in finding the root cause and the patient has an active participation in their treatment. There is a wide range of therapies in the holistic approach for arthritis treatment and even prevention. Chinese herbal medicine, stress reduction, detoxification, proper diet and nutrition are within these means of therapy. Massage and exercises, acupuncture and chiropractic are also resorted to for repair of nerves and muscles. The goal of holistic medicine is to achieve balance and health.

This approach believes that the contrary-ill health and disease- are caused by obstructions which impede the flow of energy in the organs. To restore energy and function to the system, holistic medicine makes use of Chinese herbs. When it comes to arthritic pain and inflammation, diet and nutrition are crucial. All in all, this alternative arthritis treatment aims on catering to the overall health of the patient. It is not only inclined towards providing superficial symptomatic relief. Through thorough tests and evaluations, imbalances are detected until the causes of arthritis are detected. It is then that treatment options are applied, and they are generally natural healing therapies.

Such therapies are geared towards restoring balance and harmony all throughout the system. This is not only in the physical sense, but in all aspects of the person. Natural arthritis treatment also makes use of natural supplements. One such product for natural joint protection is Joint Advance. With Joint Advance, joint health is supported the natural way. Joint Advance has herbal and organic ingredients thus side effects are less likely to occur. Joint Advance has been proven effective and it is guaranteed to offer joint pain relief. One can do away with the limitations of joint pain and healthy living can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Back Neck Pain Natural Herbal Remedies and Causes

There are many reasons those may cause back neck pain from muscular injuries to arthritis and pinched nerves. Sometimes back neck pain occurs due to other problems which are not related to musculoskeletal system of the body like swelling of diaphragm and heart attack. Neck contain muscles, ligaments, tendons which may get injured or stretched to cause back pain and also swelling to these organs due to infection and other disorders also cause pain during the movement.

Apart from injuries to muscles, ligaments and tendons back neck pain may occur due to arthritis too, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Degenerative arthritis can pinch the nerves attached to cervical spine to cause severe and chronic pain in the neck. Degeneration of cervical disc also causes back neck pain. Other conditions like fractured collar bone, injury to rotator cuff, bursitis, broken shoulder blade, tendinitis and gallbladder problems can also cause pain in the upper back and neck.

The pain that occurs in the upper back and neck is sharp and sudden but it can be deep dull ache too which may get sharp during movement. The burning sensation or development of tender points is also associated with back neck pain due to serious arthritic condition or cervical spondylosis. Weakness and numbness along with the pain suggests damage to the musculoskeletal system of the upper back and neck which is causing pain. Cool arm or change in the color of the skin at the affected part suggest pinched arteries and veins of the upper back and neck.

Back neck pain is experienced in two ways one, the pain which is confined to one area and does not radiate to shoulder and arms whereas other which radiates to shoulder and arms. The pain which remains confined to one area is normally associated with muscles, ligaments and tendons whereas shooting pain is associated with rather serious conditions like pinched nerves, disc deformation and bone deposits. However this is not a foolproof method to diagnosis the root cause of pain and is based on general evidences.

NSAID and muscle relaxants are recommended for pain relief in allopathic medication which are not considered as suitable for long term use. Herbal treatments are more popular as herbs are natural and treat the problem naturally without any side effects. There are few extremely effective herbs for pain relief and muscle relaxation. Cayenne pepper is widely used for topical application on the aching body parts and joints for immediate relief. Chamomile tea is an excellent muscle relaxant, tea of chamomile is recommended 2-3 times in a day. Massage of warm eucalyptus oil is very beneficial in relieving pain and relaxing muscles. Consumption of winter cherry is very good for overall health and for pain relief as well.

Ginger and garlic are good source of anti-oxidants which promote blood flow in the body to treat all sorts of pain and help the body in removing blockages of arteries and veins. Exercises and therapies also help in alleviating the back neck pain in a short duration along with herbs. Hydrotherapy, light exercises, yoga are some popular ways of controlling back neck pain and reducing the frequency of its occurrence.

Body Position, Anxiety and TMJ

TMJ (short for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is a disorder concerning the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. This disorder often results in dysfunction in the movements and position of the jaw, which aggravates over time if left untreated. It is estimated that over 11 million Americans may suffer from TMJ at any given time.

People with TMJ have a great amounts of discomfort and pain in the neck and jaw area. They may also experience migraines and may even have fibromyalgia eventually. Some "experts" claim TMJ is caused by continued movement of the jaw beyond its normal limits, such as forward or sideways, which may in turn be caused by excessive gum chewing, nail biting, dental neglect, or trauma (accident).

Yet despite avoiding all its known causes, many individuals still suffer from TMJ. What could be causing this? Could it be due to a new, exciting cause that would make one take a new look at TMJ? Well, not really. Although not many know about these new causes, they should not surprise anyone because these are what causes TMJ in the first place.

Anxiety is the first cause.

You're probably familiar with this. Your muscles tighten, you tremble, and your jaw stiffens when you feel scared, apprehensive, or anxious. When you deal with anxiety on a regular basis, what do you think happens to you? When you experience aches and pains that seem to appear out of nowhere, are you puzzled that these pains seem to have no physical cause at all? Well, now you know what caused them. And when you unconsciously set your jaw whenever you go through your daily dose of stress, it may eventually add up to a TMJ problem.

Wrong body positioning is the next cause.

Your parents probably told you not to slouch when you were a kid. And if you're suffering from back problems now, you're probably wishing you'd have listened. The same goes for TMJ. Sitting the wrong way (or too much) causes our jaw to have the wrong position - it may be too far in or far out.

On the Discovery Channel, when you see these women from developing countries carry heavy loads on top of their heads, have you ever wondered why they don't suffer from shoulder, neck, and jaw problems despite carrying these loads everyday? The simple reason is this-they carry the loads directly over their heads. In this way, the muscles in their neck and shoulders sustain the weight in a way that nature designed them to. The moment they tip their heads forward, the weight would suddenly cause them to tip forward and lose their balance.

See the connection?

Your head is not heavy at all when it is aligned with the body. But when it is not, as when you tip forward, it feels a bit heavier. Your neck and shoulder muscles often cannot support the extra load, so your jaw exerts effort to keep the head level.

Over time, TMJ disorder happens because of the extra strain.

Doctors often just prescribe painkillers to ease the pain caused by TMJ, but these are just temporary solutions. They do nothing to ease TMJ's root causes. My TMJ No More Program does just that. It effectively targets the root causes of TMJ with simple exercises that relax the muscles around the TMJ and restore the jaw's natural position. My program will successfully cure those who suffer from this disorder. Does it work? Apparently, hundreds of my customers who have tried it themselves definitely think so. Check out my TMJ No More program and see what brought the smiles back on their faces.

Warm Regards,
Christian Goodman

New Chapter - Osteo Care For the Elderly

Many of the aches and pains involved with the aging process are due to osteoarthritis or degenerative diseases of the bone. As we age our bones, joints, and the cartilage which holds them together begin to go through changes.

New Chapter know that degenerative arthritis also known as degenerative joint disease is part of a group of related diseases and/or mechanical abnormalities which relate to the degradation of our joints. This is why we feel stiffness, creaking, tenderness, joint pain, and sometimes locking of our joints. Many times this is the result of locally inflamed joints and connective cartilage, known as osteoarthritis (OA).

Many ways to blame the pain

Among the many reasons we are bothered by osteoarthritis are:

• Heredity
• Metabolic causes
• Mechanical causes
• Developmental causes
• Lack of calcium

A loss of cartilage is the result in many instances, creating pain on movement. When this tissue is damaged, it tries to re-grow itself and this often accelerates the damage. Cartilage is made up of a strong protein matrix which lubricates while it cushions our joints. As this breaks down, our joints no longer "glide" in place as when we were younger, and each movement becomes painful.

New Chapter Vitamins, minerals, and supplements have much to offer those who suffer from osteoarthritis through their calcium supplements, which are derived from whole food sources. And when calcium is paired with natural co-factors like magnesium along with other trace minerals, works most effectively to strengthen bones and joints suffering from diseases like osteoarthritis.

New Chapter calcium complex proudly delivers key essential nutrients, derived from whole food (the safest, most active form). Our bodies need this form of nutrient complex, knowing it works much more efficiently than the limestone sources to be found in many other calcium supplements.

Other essential ingredients

Among other essential ingredients found in New Chapter Vitamins, supplements, and minerals are calcium and magnesium supplements, along with other bone enriching nutrients to complete the food complex. Vitamin K has been found to be an essential co-factor useful in calcium absorption as well as calcium retention in our bodies. When human cell proteins don't get enough vitamin K, they do not tend to hold on to the calcium in the body and the results are loss of vital nutrients.