I have dealt with TMJ for several years...and all the fun things that go along with it - sore cheeks/tongue, radiating upper back pain and tightness, migraines, etc.  I tried mouth guards and they failed.  Massage aleviates the problem but I don't have the time or money to get the regular massages needed to keep the pain at bay.  I have always been wary of chiropractic work but I found one who specializes in whiplash and she is making significant changes in my body, finally!  I fell down some stairs when I was very young and fractured my tailbone - my chiro believes this resulted in whiplash which developed into my TMJ that has progressively gotten worse over time.  Specifically, my C1/Atlas joint at the base of my skull is out of wack.  After 2 visits, I feel so different...my jaw is back on track (I can't get the popping sound even when I try!), I feel like I can hold my shoulders back without feeling restricted, my neck and cheek muscles don't hurt, I haven't had a headache even after I have exercised, and I can stand/sit up straight without low back pain or discomfort.  That's what has always made me laugh - people telling me to work on my posture but they don't know how impossible it is to hold your shoulders back and sit up straight when you have every muscle in your chest/back/neck pulling you in the other direction!  So, my suggestion to some of you, especially those who may have experienced trauma that could have led to whiplash is to look into chiropractic treatment...go to someone with good bedside manner and specializes in whiplash.  Chiro work is one of the more affordable services out there too so that's a bonus.  And I believe the combo of chiro and massage is the ticket and there are many chiro offices that also offer massage - often both of which is covered by insurance if you choose to file!  Best of luck...I feel your pain!

thanks HBD, great advice here. i chew SO much gum, i should probably be taking preventative measures so i don't end up with TMJ. 

I get this from time to time and actually go to my chiropractor and he gently "jerks" my jaw back into place!  I think I also get it related to stress.  I used to go to a chiropractor who would use some kind of instrument on my jaw and click it into place.  Either way, it helps.  And BREATHING and doing something to relax my facial muscles help.  Good luck with it everyone!

Morgan illustrates a big issue with TMD or TMJD (TMJ stands for TemporoMandibular Joint, which everyone has). TMD stands for TemporoMandibular Dysfunction which is what people mean when they say they have TMJ.

TMD is multifactorial, meaning there are MANY different causes. This is part of the reason the same treatment will not work for every person. This is much different than a lot of dentistry and medicine. On top of that, you are still using your jaw while trying to resolve the problem. You can't stop using your jaw in most cases while it is in rehab. Although a simple splint will improve a patient in 70% of cases, it can be a bandaid and not the cure in many of these cases. Proper diagnosis is the key to truly resolving the issue. Appropriate treatment is dictated by a combination of symptoms and diagnosis. Dr. Todd Dickerson