Basics of TMD Podcast
The Basics of TMD Podcast: A Guide to Conservative Treatment
We’re excited to share a new resource on our website: an AI-generated podcast diving into the fundamentals of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). This podcast explains the basic principles of TMD and highlights evidence-based, conservative treatments that are the cornerstone of care at the Minnesota Head & Neck Pain Clinic.
Why Listen to the Podcast?
TMD can be complex, with symptoms ranging from jaw pain and clicking to headaches and difficulty chewing. Understanding the nature of this disorder and the treatments supported by scientific literature can empower you to make informed decisions about your care.
The podcast explores:
- What TMD is and how it affects your jaw and surrounding structures.
- The role of conservative, non-invasive treatments, including physical therapy, oral appliance therapy, and self-care strategies.
- Why surgery and invasive interventions are considered only after conservative options are fully explored.
Our Commitment to Evidence-Based TMD Care
At the Minnesota Head & Neck Pain Clinic, we focus on conservative treatments that prioritize patient safety and align with the latest research.
Some key principles to TMD care include:
- Physical Therapy: Techniques to reduce pain, improve jaw function, and create body awareness.
- Oral Appliances: Custom devices designed to alleviate stress on the jaw joints, help stabilize and support the jaw and work as a retraining tool to help reduce jaw clenching and tension.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Strategies like stress management and dietary adjustments to reduce symptoms.
TMDs often arise from a complex interplay of factors. A key component on TMJ (temporomandibular joint), for many people, is myofascial pain; this is because muscle tension and trigger points in the jaw muscles, often caused by teeth grinding or clenching, are a major contributor. Myofascial pain specifically refers to pain arising from the muscle tissues and connective tissue surrounding them. The empowering part is that by taking excessive stress and strain off of the TMJ’s we can help reduce the risks of things like osteoarthritis or arthritis that can contribute to TMD.
Research consistently supports these approaches as effective first-line treatments for most TMD cases. They’re not only less risky than surgical options but also often lead to significant symptom relief.
Here is an introductory snippet from the podcast:
“Research from the Orofacial Pain Disorders Methodology Group published their findings in a Journal called CRANIO. This research really challenges traditional views of TMDs. For years the focus was solely on the mechanics of your jaw, like misaligned teeth or bite problems as the root cause.
The biopsychosocial model acknowledges that TMDs are incredibly complex. They involve this real fascinating interplay between your physical jaw, your emotional state, and even your psychological coping mechanism. So, it’s not just about, like, fixing a misaligned bite; it’s about understanding the whole person.
If you are stressed, do you clench your jaw? Many people do. That tension can actually exacerbate symptoms. Those who catastrophize pain, meaning they constantly worry and focus on it, they tend to experience more severe symptoms and have a harder time recovering. Your thoughts and actions to pain can actually make the pain worse.
The good news is that most TMD cases respond really well to conservative non-invasive approaches. We are not talking about major TMD surgery or anything drastic right off the bat. We emphasis a patient centered approach. You are not just following a cookie-cutter protocol; you are actively involved in shaping your care. One of the cornerstones of this approach is supportive self-management.”
Listen Now to Our Basics of TMD Podcast
Get in Touch to Learn More About TMD
Thanks for listening to our Basics of TMD Podcast. Let us know how you enjoy the podcast and if there are additional topics you’d like us to cover in the future! If you have questions after listening or want to learn more about how our clinic can help you manage TMD, contact us. We’re here to provide personalized care based on proven approaches, helping you find relief and regain function.
You can contact us at (763) 577-2484 to Schedule a Consultation
- Plymouth: (763) 577-2484
- St. Paul: (651) 332-7474
- Burnsville: (952) 892-6222
- St. Cloud: 763-233-7252
About the Author
Cory Herman DDS, Doctor of Dental Surgery, treats adults and children with sleep issues, TMD, and Orofacial pain disorders within the Minnesota Head and Neck Pain Clinic. He is known for his evidence-based, non-surgical TMD treatments, and orofacial pain management with an emphasis on collaborative, integrative selfcare, mind-body rehabilitative care.
Source: Audio and Image created using Gemini
