Stress Center Peer Support

Someone please tell me they have problems with muscle tension in the next, back, jaw, and head. I am constently having headaches, dizziness, and lots of muscle tension in my head area. I have a bad bout of TMJ and am having hard time shaking it. Has anyone been able to get rid of this or been able to decrease their symptoms. Please help and give and tips you may have.

How weird that I just got away for a moment to check my email and saw your post! YES, YES, YES! I have terrible muscle pain between the shoulder blades, neck, head, temples and jaw. I thought I had a migraine (maybe that was part of the problems) or had lifted my 16 month old wrong or even spent too much time at the computer during my insomnia. Either which way, the pain has built for the last two months until last week when I couldn't take it anymore. You are definitely not alone!
I had a massage, went to the chiropractor, took midrin, pain killers and muscle relaxers, hot baths, hot compresses, stretched, etc. All helped the take the edge off. I never should have let it get so bad. I ended up getting a shot of Vistoril and Nubein, then the next day flexoril and toradol. Still had minor relief. Yesterday, I saw the neurologist for my check up and he gave me Dolgic which is for tension headaches and muscle tension. It has workied best for me. I realize there has to be a strain in there somewhere and will take time to heal. My hubby worked on my back where he felt the knots and it is better today. I would go back to the chiropractor and massage therapist because I did get some relief but it's a $85 visit, and I just spent $100 copay to the ER for the first set of shots.
I really find the relaxation cd where you tense your muscles and let them go helps briefly too. If only we could find something that takes the pain away for a longer while!! Let me know how you are doing- Beverly

I can totally relate to what you are going through. I feel it in my neck, upper and lower back, jaw and head. I do have sinus problems and a lot of tension in my neck area.

I have been going to a chiropractor for years and was not getting any better. I just switched to another chiro and I can feel a lot of relief. I have been to her 2 times and will go back 2 more this week. I can feel a difference with her. I also go get massages once a month. I do feel better when I go but it does come back. Now with the better chiro hopefully my massages will be getting better.

I know a lot of people do not believe in chiropractors but I have been going for over 10 years. Not all of them are good but I think I found one that is helping me again.

The relaxation tape does help a bit but sometimes when you are too tight it sometimes makes it worse for me.

I hope I helped. Good luck and let me know what you decide to try.

Thanks guys for your wonderful suggestions. The funny part is I have tried all of these methods as well. I have had accupuncture, massages, physical therapy, and have done the hot soaks. I think I just let it get way to out of hand and that is why it is taking so long to go away. I will try the chiro again to see if it may make a difference. Thanks for all your help.

Hi All-

just want you all to know that i have same problems....althoughh, my tension is also in my arms legs and feet.....any one have tension thru their whole body? like evertime you try to relax one part the other extremeties tighten up?

Patricia

TMJ...OMG

Bad case here - but I have been able to make it go away with 3 things, though I have probably permantly cracked a tooth with my teeth clinching.

The first thing is to go to a dentist and have them show you the proper jaw placement for your teeth. Most of us are shifting our lower jaw forward and that will mess up the alignment of that joint. Then have your dentist make you a splint - most dental insurance will cover most of the cost. This will help with the swelling. I also use my chiropractor(2nd thing), but unless you learn where to keep your jaw in place it will continue to be a problem.

after that if you need another one you can just use the mouth guards for sports, but I must insist that you learn where to put your jaw first or you will compound the problem!!!

Relaxation is the biggest struggle for me, I might have success if I actually did the tape 3 times a day....working on it!!

The third thing is to do the relaxation, practice opening your jaw wide before bed and then resting it in the proper relaxed position.

These have helped me. It is important to work on this and it will help with the secondary tension that it creates.

Good luck!!

I realized that I was actually clenching my teeth in the day time! My TMJ was backward. In the morning it felt fine and as the day went on I would get the pain and muscle tension. Weird. Anyway, as soon as I realized this I made a conscious effort to keep my jaw relaxed and it has made a big difference.

Jaw pain and popping, recently got a night guard. Neck and shoulder pain, i only go to chiro when its really bad. I have tension in my back, arms and feet as well. Headaches.... i guess this is just another part of the whole anxiety thing. Wow .......

Myofacial massage has helped my very tight shoulders and pretty much, cured my IT Band Syndrome. When I had it done to my shoulders, my headaches went away and all that night, my shoulders felt cool - very odd feeling, very relaxing feeling, as if I was feeling a different pair of shoulders. Weeks later, my shoulders have tightened some, but not as bad as before. The trick is finding the right person.

i to have bad tension in my neck and shouldersi get bad headaecs any ideas email me at dpd 2004@yahoo .com