Neck, back, shoulder pain and ‘muscle recruitment’ Your neck, back and shoulder muscles work as a team. (Seldom does a single muscle work without other muscles in the team joining in.) Often, when muscles are overworked, they will recruit additional muscles to help out. Strained Neck Muscles Affect Posture 1. With the head centered, the […]
How your bite can cause back pain A “bad bite” (in dental terms called a malocclusion) often causes an imbalance in the jaw-to-skull relationship, which in turn twists the jaw into a strained position that refers pain to the muscles in the neck, shoulders, and back. (Pain can occur in the upper back as well […]
I have tingling one day then not the next. There is no rhyme or reason … The muscles and the nerves in the jaw and face are extremely complex and intricately connected. Because of this, if your bite is unaligned, the nerves and muscles are also affected. This misalignment can result in the muscles throughout […]
Like your mother said: “Stand up straight!” Turns out, your poor posture may not be your fault. In general, our overall lifestyle contributes to poor posture. We spend a great portion of our day sitting or performing tasks that require bending forward or lifting. We spend more time watching T.V. and have jobs and hobbies […]
Dreadful days, sleepless nights When you wake up in the morning, do you ever wonder if you slept at all? Is bedtime filled with anxiety and apprehension? Do you spend your days lethargic, weary and in a fog-like state? What if we told you all of this could be linked to TMJ? There is often […]
Therapeutic Orthotics Therapeutic orthotics are made of clear or tooth colored acrylic, moulded to attach to the lower teeth. (Lower teeth whenever possible, because orthotics attached to lower teeth are more comfortable than those attached to upper teeth.) The biting surfaces of the orthotic simulate a set of properly positioned teeth. The orthotic bite […]
A thorough examination and consultation with Dr. Westman. After you complete your New Patient Registration Form, you can reserve your one-hour (or longer), comprehensive TMJ/TMD evaluation/examination visit – the key in diagnosing and getting rid of your head, neck and jaw pain and other symptoms, and sleeping better. In addition to your clinical examination […]
Simple solutions, big relief Simple stretching and relaxation exercises can usually provide at least some amount of relief to tense and sore muscles due to TMJ, but more is usually required to get relief from structural misalignments. Sometimes, anti-inflammatory injections and/or referred pain trigger point injections are all it takes to break the pain cycle. […]
How your smile got started Your smile was defined in your early days. ?Childhood allergies, early tooth loss, missing teeth, thumb sucking and large tonsils and adenoids contributed to how your upper and lower jaw ?developed, how your teeth mesh together, ?and how you smile today. It’s not just your smile – ?but your entire […]
The news just keeps on getting better Not only can a dentist determine exactly what is going on and how to go about repairing the damage, the treatment can come without the use of surgery. A combination of non-invasive therapy that include dental orthotics, braces or other dental devices can solve TMJ problems. If worn or broken teeth are also a problem a complete smile […]