What Is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)?

When someone gives you the encouraging saying "Don't worry, be happy", it can fall on deaf ears. The stresses of life vary for everyone and so does the way in which we deal with it. Some people can just roll through it, others feel better from an after work drink, and still others can go to the gym to work through their issues. For another segment of the population, however, they worry and stress themselves into actual disorders like temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ.

Many patients afflicted with TMJ won't recognize the symptoms for months since, for a lot of them, the cause is the grinding of their teeth during the night. This grinding is a direct result of the stress they feel as they're awake and are not able to properly deal with.

These symptoms vary, but they all include pain. This is because of the activity that the jaw does every day, all day. It is our jaws that allow us to talk, to chew, and to even yawn. We cannot just take a rest for a few weeks from talking and eating, so the issues tend to exacerbate over time.

Usually, soreness is confined to the jaw itself, but it can spread up and make the ears hurt, as well as give sufferers intermittent headaches. It is when patients find that they have difficulty opening and closing their mouths that they realize things are worse than they thought.

The causes of TMJ, for most who suffer from it, are directly related to stress, but there are other, different, risk factors. Arthritis sufferers can have their disease spread to this joint. Also, injuries can lead to TMJ symptoms. This is overall, however, a woman's disease and usually strikes between the ages of 30 and 50 predominantly.

Thankfully, treating this problem, in most cases, is relatively simple and doesn't have to involve any surgical interventions. This is because, in those cases, it is an overworking of the muscles and not the erosion of cartilage or joints.

Depending on the severity suspected by your doctor, examination may entail an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI. The latter two can give more detailed images of the bones involves, as well as if the problem lies with the actual joint disks.

Getting through the pain as you go through treatment usually just involves taking some pain killers or muscle relaxers. In some patients it can be found that the TMJ itself is not the main problem, but is just the physical manifestation of something deeper like depression. In fact, anti-depressants have been found to work for a number of patients.

More severe cases have to deal with injections into sites of damage, which can be quite painful, but the effects are immediate. Corticosteroids are usually used for those who already have arthritis and this is a powerful, long term, anti-inflammatory. Another option is Botox which will paralyze the nerves for the time being so that you can heal without pain.

In conjunction with medications, many sufferers will get bite guards which are just soft teeth molds they can wear as they sleep so as not to grind their teeth together. Cognitive behavioral therapy has made many strides with those that have TMJ because of stress. Using a variety of different stress relieving techniques patients can calm down their body's reactions to daily issues.

Leg Pains - Dietary and Ayurvedic Treatment, Home Remedies

Pains in the legs could be due to joint pains or due to muscle cramps. Joint pains are generally observed in arthritis, a condition which sets in as the person's advances in age. In arthritis, the articulation of the bones gradually wears out over time, leading to pains whenever they function. This is called as Aama Vata in Ayurvedic language.

Muscle cramps usually affect the muscles of the leg. It is known as Khalli Vata in Ayurveda. There is a special term for the muscle cramps that affect only the calf muscles, and that is Pindikoveshtana. From an Ayurvedic point of view, almost all pains are caused due to vitiation of the vata dosha. Specifically in leg pains due to muscle cramps, the Vyana vata is vitiated. This is a sub-dosha of the vata which controls the involuntary muscles of the body.

Pains occur when there is an ama buildup in the body. Ama is the name given to the toxic materials caused due to improper digestion that cannot be expelled from the body. Such ama causes several problems, including leg pains. Ama is built up due to high agni, i.e. digestive fire, which is governed by the pitta dosha. Hence there is also a pitta relation with the leg pains.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Leg Pains

1. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Clove oil is applied on the affected leg muscle as a poultice. It provides immediate relief from pains, especially if they are due to muscle cramps.

2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger has wonderful painkilling properties. It must be included in the daily diet if muscular pains in the legs are a chronic problem.

3. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice is very effective in relieving muscle aches. An infusion of its roots must be prepared in water and kept overnight. This helps in almost all kinds of muscle problems.

4. Madhuca (Madhuca indica)

Madhuca has positive effects on leg pains, especially if they are due to rheumatism. Its oil is applied locally over the affected regions.

5. Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Pepper helps in dilating the superficial blood vessels, thus helping in proper blood circulation. It also has analgesic properties and can be used as a liniment in muscular problems.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Leg Pains

Since improper digestion can cause leg pains, care must be taken not to eat anything that can cause digestive problems. Do not consume constipating foods; keep your diet simple. Consume plenty of green vegetables and leafy vegetables that contain fiber. Vitamin C obtained from amalaki, oranges and tomatoes is also good for digestion. After each meal, make it a habit to eat a plantain instead of some calorie-rich dessert like ice-cream. A plantain is a food that is extremely rich in minerals of potassium, magnesium and calcium. Hence it is extremely beneficial for proper metabolism within the leg region. Avoid coffee and chocolate if you have persistent leg pain problems.

The importance of adequate amount of fluids cannot be stressed enough. Dehydration is a leading cause of leg pains. Keep drinking one glass of water every waking hour to prevent dehydratiom.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Leg Pains

There are good oils in Ayurveda that are used for external application over the affected legs. If the muscle pains have occurred suddenly, then most likely they are cramps. In such cases, Mahanarayana tailam or Praharini tailam are applied to get relief. Warming the oils a bit and then applying has better effects.

For internal administration, Sinhanaada Guggulu is prescribed. This drug is also a mild laxative. So it will also correct whatever digestive problems may be there with the system. Other commonly prescribed medicines are Laxmivilasa rasa and Pratapa Lankeshwara rasa.

(4) Home Remedies for Leg Pains

1 If you have regular complains of pains in the legs, then there are some simple exercises you can do in order to get relief from them. Some of them are described:-

a) Lie on your back on a firm bed. Wear some loose clothing over the legs, such as shorts or pajamas. Raise your legs gradually in the air, as far as they can go. The heels should point skywards. Hold the legs in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then bring them down again. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.

b) Alternatively you can stand facing a wall at an arm's length distance from it. Stretch out your arms and touch the wall with your open palms. Then slowly pull yourself forward (towards the wall). Feel the stretching pressure building up in your legs. Hold yourself in this stretched position for about ten seconds and then let go. Do this five times per session, and repeat the exercise thrice a day.

c) Even Yoga has several leg stretching exercises that can be used with great positive effects. These exercises are Uttanpadasana, Janusandhi and Gomukhasana.

2 If the cramps occur when performing an exercise workout or some physical activity, then have a glass of lemon water with a pinch of salt in it.

3 If you have leg pains in the joints due to arthritis, then crush two to three cloves of garlic and add them to a glass of diluted milk. Boil it to quarter its amount and drink it just before bedtime.

4 Applying a hot pack or fomenting the leg with steam helps to improve circulation in the leg and eases the pain. Even applying cold packs helps. This will reduce the blood flow into the leg region and help the muscle to relax.

5 Put one part of camphor in twenty parts of mustard oil. Keep this in the sun till the time the camphor properly dissolves in the oil. Use this oil to massage the leg on a daily basis.

6 If you get a sudden sprain in the leg, then prepare a paste of turmeric with lime and salt and apply it on the affected part.

Recurring Headache Causes

When it comes to recurring headache causes, the most common is migraine. See if you have two of the following symptoms for migraine headaches:

• Throbbing headache lasting 4-72 hours


• Light bothers you


• Loud sounds or strong smells like perfume, bother you.

Additionally you probably have one of the following:

• Nausea and/or vomiting


• Loss of appetite during the headache


• Vertigo (or dizziness)

If so the diagnosis is migraine. The MOST common cause is something you and I can control. Hey who knew? It's STRESS. Yup, good old, plain old stress! We all have stress..everyone has it but the key is how do you manage it? Do you exercise regularly to relieve stress or is your idea of stress relief sitting on the couch watching TV?

Cluster Headache Cluster headaches, are a second recurring headache cause and occur mostly in men. They tend to last less than two hours. Spring and Fall seem to be the most popular times for this and every year the clinics will be crowded with cluster headache patients coming in.

Cervicogenic Headache Another cause of headache that many are unfamiliar with, is cervicogenic headache. Now wait a minute! What are these big medical terms! Simply put: it's a pain in the neck. Literally. Many times simple lifestyle changes and a short course of medication relieves the problem. This headache is closely related to tension headache.

Analgesic Rebound Headache Additionally, there is over use of over the counter medications like Tylenol Sinus or Excedrine Migraine. These medications used more than three times a week are a definite cause of recurring headache. One in particular that I refer to is the Claritin D Sinus Headache. When in pain you will reach for anything to take the headache away.

With over use, now the condition is analgesic rebound headache syndrome. This can be one of the most difficult to treat recurring headache causes.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Although somewhat rare, trigeminal neuralgia can reoccur years after the first bout of neuralgia. What is neuralgia? Just means pain in a nerve. Specifially the nerve which runs along the side of the face and the jaw.

Most of the time this is provoked by a virus or dental work but sometimes the cause is unknown.

Additional Causes of Recurring Headache You cannot forget about the food items in our environment now that cause headaches. Many foods contain chemicals to enhance flavor, MSG being the most famous, which provoke headaches. Caffeine overuse is another migraine trigger.

• Headache and food triggers


• Caffeine and headaches.


• Overuse of opiods with addiction.

Jaw and tooth problems can also cause recurring headaches. These are best managed by a dentist. If you feel you are suffering from TMJ symdrome, a dentist who specialises in this problem is the best person to help you. These conditions can include:

• Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)


• Dental abcesses


• Post extraction infections


• Dental caries


• Poor fitting dentures

Ear, nose and throat disorders can refer to the head and provoke migraines and headaches. A thorough evaluation for headaches should rule out:

• Sinus problems


• Trauma such as perforated eardrum


• Chronic ear infections


• Rare tumor of the inner ear: schwannoma

Obviously the key here is to find a good physician or practitioner who can help you sort out your headache profile.

Osteoarthritis - The Top 3 Myths About Your Knee Pain

There is lots of information out there about osteoarthritis,but can you find fact amongst the fiction? Here are a few myths that most believe to be true:

Only old people get arthritis:

Not so. Although advancing age is a risk factor many people feel the pain of arthritis before the age of 40. Younger people also have higher mobility expectations and notice physical restrictions acutely. Fractures that involve the joint surfaces also greatly increase the rate of wear in weight-bearing joints and can result in advanced arthritis at a very young age.

There is not much you can do about arthritis:

Yes there is. The two areas you definitely have a say in are your weight and your muscle strength. Both of these tend to become bigger issues due to the formation of a 'vicious cycle'. As your pain increases you become less active and more likely to put on weight. This leads to more stresses on the joints and more pain, starting the cycle again. This same lack of activity leads to weaker thigh muscles that normally protect the knee joint. As they get weaker they support the knee less and lead to more wear and pain. The good news is that the cycle works in reverse. Lose weight and gain muscle strength and your knees are supported more, are required to carry less weight, and so cause you less pain.This lets you get active again.

I have osteoarthritis so I will eventually have to have surgery

Wrong again. Not everyone needs surgery, and the person who decides if you need surgery is you! Just because a doctor says "all I can offer you is a knee replacement" doesn't mean you have to have one. You may choose to have one, or you may say that you can manage without. You can always change your mind and have surgery later. It just means that your arthritis has past the point where lesser treatments such as an injection or key-hole surgery would be of any long-term benefit.

Winter Joint Pain Help!

Before I solved my knee pain and knee clicking disorders I remember the very cold times of year being the Most horrible. Dry skin, stiff legs, aching muscles, BLAH! I thought I would come on right now and write out a handful of simple tips for managing your knee joints in the winter time and cold air to stop soreness and clicking. Of course this is all evaded and explained in the course I've been telling you guys about, but I wanted to give a little heads up on some quick and easy thing you can do as well.

A Fix for Stiff Knees

When a joint starts out to come to feel stiff it's caused by inflammation. I've spoke of inflammation a lot on the site since it's the number one cause of knee clicking and knee pain. All joint troubles really. The best and quickest route to soothe some of the pain and tension is to do hassle-free exercises.

Basic Stretching

The best stretches to do for your knee muscles and joints is also one of the simplest. Sit on the floor with your legs completely straight in a V-formation and just hold that position for as long as you can. You will really feel when you're done with this one. This is another one that can be done anywhere and that you should try and do at least once a day, maybe in the morning to help get yourself moving.

Simple Diet Changes

The inflammation that winter months causes is also (sometimes) very easily solved via simple diet changes and nutrition. Yes, there are really food items out there which have great anti-inflammatory effects that one can fit into your diet during the Cold months. Much like you use oil to lube up the pieces in a car you can add olive oil into the foods you eat to do the same on your knee joints. Sure, maybe not directly... but organic olive oil is a popular anti-inflammatory food.

My Smart Trick

1 trick that I would usually use is the exact contradictory of the situation, HEAT! Utilizing a heating pad on your knee joints (or most joints) in the course of the cold weather season is a fantastic tiny trick to relieve the pain after a long day at the office or going around town in the wintry dry air. And of course it just feels fantastic!

Glucosamine Tablets

Glucosamine is a protein plus sugar molecule that is usually given to persons suffering from arthritis. It has proven to be effective in assuaging pain, improving flexibility and strengthening the bones. Today, glucosamine is available as tablets, as injections and also as a liquid.

The standard dosage that is prescribed is usually 1500mg. After taking the tablet the concentration of glucosamine in blood is in its peak during the first four hours after which it gradually declines. The glucosamine tablets are usually supplemented with compounds such as chondroitin, Methyl Sulfonyl Methanol and collagen.

The tablets that use glucosamine and chondroitin usually contain extracts from fish. Each tablet typically contains 100mg of pharmaceutical chondroitin sulfate and other compounds like Maltodextrin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate and Hydroxypropylmethyl Cellulose. The reason for using MSM in tablets is that, sulfur is required for the manufacture of many proteins. Sulfur is present in bones, teeth and tissues and helps to build a good anti-inflammation system.

Some tablets also contain Vitamin C, manganese and collagen as ingredients. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in healing wounds, stimulating tissue repairs and building healthy bones. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant is very important for building a good immune system and maintaining the integrity of blood vessels and gums.

Manganese is necessary for healthy skin, bone and cartilage formation. One of the key properties of manganese is that it activates the antioxidant enzyme superdioxide Dismutase. Collagen is present in bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, skin and teeth. It is very useful for people with degenerative osteoarthritis. It functions by stalling the auto-immune processes of the disease.

People who are pure vegetarians might not like the usage of tablets which have extracts from fish and other marine creatures. It is for these people that vegan glucosamine tablets have been introduced. It is made from corn instead of shellfish. These types of tablets make a difference in two lives. They uphold the greatest theory of the universe "To live and let live."

Tart Cherry Juice: A Natural Alternative Joint Pain Reliever

If you've ever suffered from joint pain, you know it can drive you up the wall and to top it off, over the counter pain relievers only provide temporary relief at best. Eventually you'll find yourself at the doctor's office which can be costly and as a double penalty, stronger medications can come with a bevy of unwanted side effects. Thankfully, there are numerous herbal and natural remedies that offer the same relief without the side effects. One of these is the tart cherry juice which is packed with antioxidants known as anthocyanins which are responsible for the red coloring and act as a pain reliever.

Recent studies have shown that tart cherries reduce a person's sensitivity to pain, the highest dosage can have the same effect as two over the counter pills. In 2009, scientists conducted a study on the impact of tart cherry juice on the pain experienced by several athletes. They provided the participants with 10.5 ounces of the and made them drink it twice a day for about a week, increasing the frequency to every eight hours on the day of the tournament. After the race, the participants felt less pain and the recovery of their muscles was faster than if they hadn't taken the juice. NSAIDs when taken relieve soreness, but have many side effects been being associated with that type of drug. On the other hand, the juice from the these cherries doesn't cause any negative side effects.

Gout can cause an incredible amount of pain. Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid in the joints. In a research study, a group of women were asked to eat cherries within five hours of exercising. Women reported having less muscle pain, weakness, or fatigue compaired to normal. After drinking concentrated juice, their pain was greatly reduced. Recent studies show that tart cherries have a high percentage of antrocyanins and a low index of glycemic acid, making tart cherries the best type of cherry for this treatment. Tart cherries also contain a lot of melatonin, which helps improve the sleep cyle.

Concentrated versions of the juice have healing properties that are effective in treating arthritis and gout. Around 8-16 ounces of cherry juice will help reduce symptoms significantly if taken daily. Likewise, the juice of tart cherry juice can help treat insomnia by increasing melatonin and regulating your sleep pattern. Many cherry juice drinkers state that after drinking cherry juice for even a few days they were able to sleep soundly through the night.

While medications such as sleep aids and pain killers are readily available through a pharmacy, they are expensive and carry many side effects. Cherry juice on the other hand is natural and safe. There are no side effects because it isn't a chemical and tart cherry juice also carries many other amazing health benefits.