Unmasking the imposter: effective, predictable treatment for symptom sets known as TMJ, FM and more

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  July, 2005  by Farrand C. Robson

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TMJ problems have long been called the "Great Imposter" since they have been related to a myriad of symptoms and conditions throughout the body. Evidence now strongly suggests that TMJ disorders are not the "Great Imposter" but rather, a key part of a systemic disruption that may be responsible for a great many concerns.

Chronic, generalized musculoskeletal pain appears to be only one part of a broader condition that includes TMJ and related conditions. (1-4) These conditions include, but are not limited to, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Tension Headache, Low Back Pain, Migraine Headache and Post Concussion Syndrome. (5-8)

Head, neck, upper back, shoulder and facial pain, as well as, TMJ ("ear") pain and noise are symptoms related to TMJ. Other symptoms, such as postural breakdown, on-edge feelings, sleep disturbance, generalized aches and pains, foggy feelings, and aversion to cold and touch frequently accompany TMJ disorders and often are part of the conditions that have been related to TMJ.

Remarkable benefit for many millions of people is possible if the origin of TMJ disorders is demonstrated and then linked to the host of these somatic pain syndromes. This could take place once there was a testable hypothesis of the etiology of TMJ dysfunction coupled with an effective and predictable therapy. The suggested linkage of TMJ problems to cardiovascular disease, stroke, sleep disturbance and hypertension (5) makes this diagnostic and treatment approach even more significant and urgent.

This paper suggests the origin of TMJ dysfunctions and presents a testable hypothesis with effective therapeutic systems.

The first article in this series (June) presented background in scientific literature. This second article discusses a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach having profound systemic effects and showing great promise in health care. This therapeutic approach provides exciting possibilities for the millions of people who suffer from the broad range of symptoms and named conditions.

The Origin of TMJ and "TMJ-Related Conditions"

Any compromise in the ease of oral functions rapidly leads to compensations to maintain these vital functions. Musculoskeletal compensations are necessary to maintain these oral functions.

The working hypothesis developed by the author is that these compensations in themselves produce the symptoms known as TMJ disorders. If clinical therapy provides greater ease of performance of these oral functions, a decreased level of muscle contraction and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) involvement would be expected.

Over the past 15 years, the author has tested and established the validity of the hypothesis through a specialized interactive history that can suggest Impairment of Oral Function. It can further be clinically tested by supporting and providing a greater ease of oral functions and then monitoring TMJ symptoms.

Rapidly reducing these symptoms validates the use of the underlying hypothesis as a conservative therapeutic approach. The widely suggested relationship between TMJ problems and the group of conditions related to TMJ, such as Fibromyalgia, can likewise be evaluated with this hypothesis. As shared by Dr. Howard Hindin, "Oral Systemic Balance (OSB) provides an assessment and therapeutic technique that delivers a predictable treatment course and outcome. We have seen chronic pain drastically reduce, sleep improve, high blood pressure drop, anxiety and depression virtually disappear, as well as many other changes. There is no other treatment that I know of that is available today that comes close."

Impairment Of Oral Functions

Jaw dysfunction implies some impairment of the primary oral functions: breathing, swallowing and speaking. Impairment of Oral Functions (IOF) can then be defined as a reduction in the ease of the jaw component of these functions. Central to these functions is the tongue and the oral and pharyngeal spaces that are above and behind the tongue. This system is under ongoing regulation and maintenance by the ANS.

The Oral Systemic Balance (OSB)

There is an Oral Systemic Balance (OSB) that is the equilibrium of[dagger] the mouth and body via the ANS to offset disruptive changes. When disrupted, partial or full restoration of this balance should be expected to profoundly affect an individual's symptoms and provide better understanding of TMJ and "TMJ related conditions."

The most significant factor in the OSB lies in the body's efforts to maintain a patent throat (pharynx), allowing breathing, swallowing and speaking to occur. This happens largely through muscle contraction mediated through the ANS. Understanding the major body postural muscle compensations that act to maintain the pharynx and thus the ease of oral functions helps us understand the muscle contraction pain and ANS effects associated with TMJ and related conditions. These were discussed in the first article and include: forward head posture, jaw muscle activity, dental shapes and contours, and fight or flight feelings.