#Tmj Ear Pain

[glacierbash]

Me when the issue with my jaw that I’ve been warning my parents about is only gonna get worse ends up getting worse (it’s 9 am and I’m in some of the worst pain of my life)

[audiovisualrecall]

Constant pain only dulled for a whole day by daily taking full dosage of tylenol and also 1 advil even tho I'm not supposed to take NSAIDS

Miserable

[preblematic]

“*frantically googling if sucking too much dick can give you tmj*”

Didn’t you get a sinus infection from sucking dick before or was that someone else

that was me!!!!!!!! i got this nasty sinus infection that took like 2 or 3 rounds of antibiotics and a trip to an ENT to have my ear canal cleaned out bc i let a dude w/ a bare minimum 8 incher skullfuck me by a dumpster at a rest stop

[healthywealthypvk]

Sharp Pain Behind Ear: Causes and Treatment Options

Experiencing sharp pain behind your ear can be uncomfortable and worrying. While this type of pain can be caused by several factors, understanding the common causes can help you determine the best course of action.

Common Causes of Sharp Pain Behind the Ear:

Ear Infections: Bacterial or viral infections, such as otitis media, can lead to inflammation and pain in and around the ear.

Mastoiditis: The mastoid bone located behind the ear can become infected, leading to sharp pain, swelling, and tenderness.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: Problems with the jaw joint can cause referred pain behind the ear, especially during chewing or jaw movement.

Occipital Neuralgia: This condition occurs when the nerves in the scalp become irritated, causing sharp, stabbing pain that often radiates from the base of the skull to the area behind the ear.

Sinus Infections: Sinusitis or blocked sinuses can cause pressure that radiates to the ear, resulting in pain behind it.

Earwax Buildup: A severe blockage of earwax can sometimes lead to discomfort or pain behind the ear, along with a feeling of fullness.

Treatment Options:

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and ease pain.

Warm Compress: Applying heat behind the ear can relieve discomfort from infections or TMJ disorders.

Antibiotics: For bacterial infections like mastoiditis or severe ear infections, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection and alleviate pain.

Massage Therapy: For TMJ disorders or occipital neuralgia, massage or physical therapy may be recommended to reduce tension and nerve pain.

Consulting a Doctor: If the pain persists or is accompanied by symptoms like hearing loss, dizziness, or swelling, it’s essential to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

When to Seek Medical Attention:

Sharp pain behind the ear can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying issue. If the pain is severe, accompanied by fever, swelling, or hearing changes, consult a doctor immediately to rule out serious conditions like mastoiditis or nerve-related problems.

Conclusion

Sharp pain behind the ear can have multiple causes, from infections to nerve irritation. Identifying the underlying issue and seeking appropriate treatment can help you find relief and protect your overall ear health.

[labradorite-princess]

My fucking mouth hurts!!!!!!!!!

[mochapanda]

guys i think my ent doctor is an idiot

[energysoda]

OW OW OW JAW HURT

[cobaltsoulsearcher]

With both Ashton’s chronic pain and acquired disabilities and Ashley’s casual mention of her ADHD, I’d just like to say how important and meaningful and how grateful I am to see a cast of successful, beloved folks talking about being disabled & anormative. They don’t owe us nothing talking about stuff like this, but sharing it feels like a warm hug and support and ahhh.

For those of you who don’t know, Matt and Liam and Taliesin have both spoken frankly about depression, and Ashley and Travis and Matt have all shared about being/having ADHD, and Matt has also spoken about Body Dysmorphia and growing up with a stutter, among other things. Dani Carr also has mentioned chronic pain, and Liam has hyperacoustis he mentions on occasion (and also one ear that has a different range of hearing) and Taliesin has TMJ and essential tremor:

Ashton’s pain comes from Taliesin’s experience.

Imogen’s overwhelm comes from Laura’s own processing of sound.

Matt could describe painful spells so well because he knows what it’s like.

Liam’s Quest feels so powerful because it explores real experienced hopelessness in the face of depression.

And obviously not everything has been explained—I’d never want to assume a person has PTSD or body issues or anything else based on character, because at the end of the day well researched and realistic depictions are important no matter who they come from and critical role does that better than anything else I’ve ever seen—we know different characters show different elements of their players. And it’s so refreshing and empowering to see disability included as one of those features, without shame or any attempt to be kept hidden.

Thank you, cast of critical role.

Updated with feedback from notes!

[underneaththatblackblanket]

"The 200+ Symptoms of Fibromyalgia"

(Note: Some symptoms may overlap)

GENERAL

1. Activity level decreased to less than 50% of pre-illness activity level

2. Cold hands and feet (extremities)

3. Cough

4. Craving carbohydrates

5. Delayed reaction to physical activity or stressful events

6. Dryness of eyes and/or mouth

7. Edema (Oedema)

8. Family member(s) with Fibromyalgia

9. Fatigue, made worse by physical exertion or stress

10. Feeling cold often

11. Feeling hot often

12. Frequent sighing

13. Heart palpitations

14. Hoarseness

15. Hypoglycemia (blood sugar falls or low)

16. Increased thirst

17. Low blood pressure (below 110/70)

18. Low body temperature (below 97.6)

19. Low-grade fevers

20. Night sweats

21. Noisy joints – with or without pain

22. Poor circulation in hands/feet

23. Profuse sweating

24. Recurrent flu-like illness

25. Shortness of breath with little or no exertion

26. Severe nasal allergies (new or worsening allergies)

27. Sore throat

28. Subjective swelling of extremities – (feels swollen Bu can’t find anything)

29. Sweats

30. Symptoms worsened by air travel

31. Symptoms worsened by stress

32. Symptoms worsened by temperature changes

33. Tender or swollen lymph nodes, especially in neck and underarms

34. Tremor or trembling

35. Unexplained weight gain or loss

PAIN

36. Abdominal wall pain

37. Bad hip pain

38. Burning Nerve Pain

39. Chest pain

40. Collarbone pain

41. Diffuse swelling

42. Elbow pain

43. Exacerbated Plantar arch or heel pain

44. “Growing” pains that don’t go away once you are done growing

45. Headache – tension or migraine

46. Inflamed Rib Cartilage

47. Joint pain

48. Lumpy, tender breasts

49. Morning stiffness

50. Muscle pain - widespread

51. Muscle spasms

52. Muscle twitching

53. Muscle weakness

54. Pain that ranges from moderate to severe

55. Pain that moves around the body

56. Paralysis or severe weakness of an arm or leg

57. Restless Leg Syndrome

58. Rib Pain

59. Scalp Pain (like hair being pulled out)

60. Sciatica-like pain

61. Tender points or trigger points

62. TMJ syndrome

63. “Voodoo Doll” Poking Sensation in random places

NEUROLOGICAL

64. Blackouts

65. Brain fog

66. Carpal Tunnel

67. Feeling spaced out

68. Hallucinating smells

69. Inability to think clearly

70. Lightheadedness

71. Noise intolerance

72. Numbness or tingling sensations

73. Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

74. Seizures

75. Seizure-like episodes

76. Sensation that you might faint

77. Syncope (fainting)

78. Tinnitus (ringing in one or both ears)

79. Vertigo or dizziness

EQUILIBRIUM/PERCEPTION

80. Bumping into things

81. Clumsy Walking

82. Difficulty balancing

83. Difficulty judging distances (when driving, etc.)

84. Directional disorientation

85. Dropping things frequently

86. Feeling spatially disoriented

87. Frequent tripping or stumbling

88. Not seeing what you’re looking at

89. Poor balance and coordination

90. Staggering gait

SLEEP

91. Alertness/energy best late at night

92. Altered sleep/wake schedule

93. Awakening frequently

94. Difficulty falling asleep

95. Difficulty staying asleep

96. Excessive sleeping

97. Extreme alertness or energy levels late at night

98. Falling asleep at random and sometimes dangerous moments

99. Fatigue

100. Light or broken sleep pattern

101. Muscle spasms/twitches at night

102. Narcolepsy

103. Sleep disturbances

104. Sleep starts or falling sensations

105. Teeth grinding - "Bruxism"

106. Tossing and turning

107. Un-refreshing or non-restorative sleep

108. Vivid or disturbing dreams/nightmares

EYES/VISION

109. Blind spots in vision

110. Eye pain

111. Difficulty switching focus from one thing to another

112. Frequent changes in ability to see well

113. Night driving difficulty

114. Occasional Blurry vision

115. Poor night vision

116. Rapidly worsening vision

117. Vision changes

COGNITIVE

118. Becoming lost in familiar locations when driving

119. Confusion

120. Difficulty expressing ideas in words

121. Difficulty following conversation (especially if background noise present)

122. Difficulty following directions while driving

123. Difficulty following oral instructions

124. Difficulty following written instructions

125. Difficulty making decisions

126. Difficulty moving your mouth to speak

127. Difficulty paying attention

128. Difficulty putting ideas together to form a complete picture

129. Difficulty putting tasks or things in proper sequence

130. Difficulty recognizing faces

131. Difficulty speaking known words

132. Difficulty remembering names of objects

133. Difficulty remembering names of people

134. Difficulty understanding what you read

135. Difficulty with long-term memory

136. Difficulty with simple calculations

137. Difficulty with short-term memory

138. Easily distracted during a task

139. Dyslexia-type symptoms occasionally

140. Feeling too disoriented to drive

141. Forgetting how to do routine things

142. Impaired ability to concentrate

143. Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

144. Losing track in the middle of a task (remembering what to do next)

145. Losing your train of thought in the middle of a sentence

146. Loss of ability to distinguish some colors

147. Poor judgment

148. Short term memory impairment

149. Slowed speech

150. Staring into space trying to think

151. Stuttering; stammering

152. Switching left and right

153. Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you speak

154. Transposition (reversal) of numbers, words and/or letters when you write

155. Trouble concentrating

156. Using the wrong word

157. Word-finding difficulty

EMOTIONAL

158. Abrupt and/or unpredictable mood swings

159. Anger outbursts

160. Anxiety or fear when there is no obvious cause

161. Attacks of uncontrollable rage

162. Decreased appetite

163. Depressed mood

164. Feeling helpless and/or hopeless

165. Fear of someone knocking on the door

166. Fear of telephone ringing

167. Feeling worthless

168. Frequent crying

169. Heightened awareness – of symptoms

170. Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities

171. Irrational fears

172. Irritability

173. Overreaction

174. Panic attacks

175. Personality changes –usually a worsening of pervious condition

176. Phobias

177. Suicide attempts

178. Suicidal thoughts

179. Tendency to cry easily

GASTROINTESTINAL

180. Abdominal cramps

181. Bloating

182. Decreased appetite

183. Food cravings

184. Frequent constipation

185. Frequent diarrhea

186. Gerd-like Symptoms

187. Heartburn

188. Increased appetite

189. Intestinal gas

190. Irritable bladder - "Angry Bladder Syndrome"

191. Irritable bowel syndrome - IBS-C, IBS-D

192. Nausea

193. Regurgitation

194. Stomachache

195. Vomiting

196. Weight gain - unexplained

197. Weight loss - unexplained

UROGENITAL

198. Decreased libido (sex drive)

199. Endometriosis

200. Frequent urination

201. Impotence

202. Menstrual problems

203. Painful urination or bladder pain - "Interstitial Cystitis"

204. Pelvic pain

205. Prostate pain

206. Worsening of (or severe) premenstrual syndrome (PMS or PMDD)

SENSITIVITIES

207. Alcohol intolerance

208. Allodynia (hypersensitive to touch)

209. Alteration of taste, smell, and/or hearing

210. Sensitivity to chemicals in cleaning products, perfumes, etc.

211. Sensitivities to foods

212. Sensitivity to light

213. Sensitivity to mold

214. Sensitivity to noise

215. Sensitivity to odors

216. Sensitivity to yeast (getting yeast infections frequently on skin, etc.)

217. Sensory overload

218. Sensitivity to pressure & humidity changes

219. Sensitivity to extreme temperature changes

220. Vulvodynia

SKIN

221. Able to “write” on skin with finger

222. Bruising easily

223. Bumps and lumps

224. Eczema or psoriasis

225. Hot/dry skin

226. Ingrown hairs

227. Itchy/Irritable skin

228. Mottled skin

229. Rashes or sores

230. Scarring easily

231. Sensitivity to the sun

232. Skin suddenly turns bright red

CARDIOVASCULAR (Heart)

233. “Click-murmur” sounds through stethoscope

234. Fluttery heartbeat

235. Heart palpitations

236. Irregular heartbeat

237. Loud pulse in ear

238. Pain that mimics heart attack - "Costochondritis"

239. Rapid heartbeat

HAIR/NAILS

240. Dull, listless hair

241. Heavy and splitting cuticles

242. Irritated nail beds

243. Nails that curve under

244. Pronounced nail ridges

245. Temporary hair loss

OTHER

246. Canker sores

247. Dental problems

248. Disk Degeneration

​249. Hemorrhoids

250. Nose bleeds

251. Periodontal (gum) disease

252. Need for early hysterectomy

[thatskindasapphic]

Went to my doctor and he has no clue whats wrong with me!!! Fun

My jaw and the lymph nodes in my neck have been sore and swollen for the past few days and I woke up this morning having difficulty swallowing. Haha I'm in danger

[running-swimming-living]

I haven’t posted in a while bc I had an ear issue that is still ongoing. I started feeling pain on Saturday that made it hard to eat and swallow on my right ear. I took some time off swimming and went to the doctor. She said it wasn’t infected but gave me drops Incase I ever get swimmers ear.

I still have some pain in my right ear that is probably related to tmj.

I went for a swim this morning for the first time since last Saturday. It was refreshing and felt great. I then hung out with a friend the rest of the day. It was relaxing and fun.

[brightlotusmoon]

Husband wonders if this headache that slammed me Friday night is the result of my immune system getting a jump scare or alarm and reacting to something I was exposed to. He does not think it was a consequence of my first long walk outside in a while, like I thought.

I'm unstable and foggy in a way I'm usually not. My temples keep pounding along with the back of my head behind my ears - which is usually a TMJ thing. But it's never been this intense.

Now I need to note what is not my normal chronic pain so I can track the symptoms.

[falseclosure]

worried | esme morgan x reader

summary: the one where esme can't help but worry

warnings: none

word count: 2k

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Exhausted from a long day of classes, I stumbled into the apartment that Esme and I shared. While I was at uni, Esme was out running errands before she had to leave for camp. I immediately cleaned myself up and collapsed into our bed, my ear throbbing with pain. Esme and I went to the Coldplay concert a couple of days ago so I didn’t know I had an ear infection because of that or something else. My tiredness overpowered me, and soon, I drifted off to sleep. 

A few hours later, I was jolted awake by Esme's voice echoing through the apartment. “Babe, I’m home!” she called, clearly searching for me. Usually, I would be in the kitchen preparing dinner for both of us, but tonight my earache was too much to handle.

“Babe, where are you?” I attempted to cover my ears with a pillow, hoping to dull the ringing sensation, but it was futile. Esme entered our room, her eyes immediately landing on me, sensing that something was wrong as she saw me in discomfort. She sat down beside me, gently prying the pillow away, and cradled my head in her lap, concern etched across her face.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

"My ear," I managed to say, wincing as the pain intensified. "It feels like it's going to pop."

Esme's breath hitched, her panic mirroring my pain. I didn't want her to worry further. "Can you get me some painkillers, please?" I requested, trying to divert her attention. She nodded, her love for me evident in every gesture. Esme went to the bathroom to fetch the medicine, and I slowly sat up, assessing the pain in my ear. As she returned, I smiled to ease her worries and took the painkillers with a grateful expression.

“Thank you.” I smiled wider at her. After I drank the medicine, she caressed my hair with a tender touch and leaned down to kiss my forehead. I tried to shift so she could sit beside me, but Esme insisted on holding me close, her arms wrapping around my waist as she nestled me between her legs, providing me with comfort and care. She rested her chin on my shoulder on the side of my ear that wasn’t hurting.

“What happened? Should I take you to the hospital?” Esme asked. She was always worried about me and I loved her for that. It shows me that she cares a lot about me. I pulled away a bit so I could look at her face. 

“It’s fine. I think my TMJ is just acting up. I thought it was because of the concert but it has been days since then and I wasn’t able to open my mouth properly earlier when I ate my lunch.” I answered her. I couldn't resist and gave her a kiss on her cheek. She looked at me lovingly and smiled. 

“I was worried, you know. I didn’t see you in the kitchen and I thought about the worst possible things.” Anxiety evident in her voice. I wasn’t shocked when she voiced her concern to me. It has always been a rule in our relationship to be open about each other’s feelings. I put my hand on her cheek, my thumb running a smooth pattern over it.

“I’m sorry I made you worried, love. I should have texted you when I got home.” I planted a kiss on her lips. I tried to deepen the kiss but she pulled away. I know she was worried that I’m gonna hurt myself. I gave her a reassuring smile. 

“Are you sure you’re alright now?” She asked me again. 

I smiled warmly at Esme, appreciating her love and concern. "I'm feeling a bit better now, thanks to you," I said, my voice still a little strained from the lingering discomfort in my ear. "But I promise I'll keep an eye on it. If it doesn't get better soon, I'll see a doctor."

Esme nodded, her worry still evident in her eyes. "Okay, just promise me that you won't hesitate to go to the hospital if it gets worse," she implored, her fingers gently intertwining with mine.

"I promise," I replied sincerely, knowing how important my well-being was to her.

She leaned in and rested her head against mine, finding comfort in our closeness. "You know, sometimes I wish I could stop worrying too much about you," she admitted, her voice soft and vulnerable.

I turned to face her, lifting her chin with my hand to meet her gaze. "Esme, your caring nature is one of the things I love most about you," I said, my words filled with sincerity. "You're always there for me, and I never have to doubt how much you care."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "I guess I can't help it, I think you'd find me overbearing if I care too much about you," she admitted. "I just love you so much, and I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you."

I placed my hand over her heart, feeling its gentle rhythm beneath my touch. "And I love you just as much," I replied. "You're my anchor, Esme. Your worry, your love, it all keeps me grounded."

Esme's eyes softened, and she pulled me into a tight embrace. "I don't know what I'd do without you," she whispered.

"You'll never have to find out," I assured her, wrapping my arms around her as well. "We'll always be here for each other, no matter what."

"So takeout for dinner tonight?" Esme suggested with a playful smile, trying to lighten the mood after our heartfelt exchange.

I chuckled softly, appreciating her attempt to bring some lightheartedness into the moment. "Sounds good to me," I replied, feeling grateful for her caring and thoughtful nature. "You always know how to make things better."

Esme's smile widened, and she leaned in to place another tender kiss on my lips. "I'll take care of everything," she said softly, her eyes filled with love. "You just rest and relax, okay?"

I gave her a nod and leaned back against her, feeling the warmth of her embrace envelop me. We spent the evening in bed eating the takeout she had ordered for us Coldplay softly playing in the background. I found solace in the company of the person I loved the most as the pain in my ear gradually lessened throughout the evening.

The next day, Esme insisted on taking me to the doctor. I was a bit hesitant but I knew it was for the best. We sat together in the waiting room, her hand holding mine tightly as we waited for my turn. Esme's worry was evident as she kept asking me if I was okay, her leg bouncing up and down.

When we finally saw the doctor, they confirmed that the earache was indeed a result of the loud concert and TMJ. They prescribed some medication and advised us to be cautious about loud environments in the meantime. Esme listened attentively, taking notes and asking questions to ensure my well-being.

In the days that followed, Esme and I cherished every moment together, knowing that soon she would have to leave for the football camp leading up to the World Cup. Despite the upcoming separation, we made the most of the time we had, savoring each other's company.

I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement for her as the day of her departure drew near and a tinge of sadness over the brief separation. Esme had a contagious love of football, and I was aware of how important the World Cup was to her but the idea of being apart from her for a while weighed heavily on my heart at the same time.

I got up early on the morning of her departure to make Esme a special breakfast. I wanted to be sure she had a delicious and energizing breakfast because she had been busy with last-minute preparations. I smiled at her and handed her a plate of her favorite breakfast as she sat down at the table.

"You're spoiling me," she said, her eyes lighting up with gratitude.

"I just want to make sure you're well-fed before you conquer the world," I replied with a playful wink.

Esme laughed, and for a moment, the worry about her departure lifted as we enjoyed each other's company. We talked about her plans for the camp and the excitement surrounding the upcoming World Cup. I assured her that I'd be cheering her on from home and eagerly awaiting her return.

After breakfast, we sat on the couch cuddling, soaking up the love and warmth in each other's presence. When she finally had to go, we stood at the doorway, clinging to each other tightly.

"I'll miss you," I whispered, my voice tinged with emotion.

"I'll miss you too," Esme replied, her arms wrapped around me as if she never wanted to let go. "But I promise, I'll call and message you every day, and we'll see each other again in just a few days when we play the send-off game."

"I'll be counting down the minutes," I said, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. "Go out there and show the world what you're made of, superstar."

Esme grinned, her eyes shining with determination. "I will. I'll make you proud."

“You always make me proud.”

True to her word, Esme kept in touch every day, sharing stories of her training and the excitement building up for the World Cup. Her messages and calls were a lifeline, keeping us connected to her even though we were apart.

Finally, the day of the send-off game arrived, and I eagerly made my way to the stadium to watch Esme play. Sitting in the stands, my heart swelled with pride as I saw her on the field, giving her all with passion and determination. She moved with grace and skill, commanding the game like the fierce athlete she was. The cheers of the crowd mixed with the beat of my heart, all in support of the woman I loved.

I joined the other fans in praising Esme and her team for their outstanding performance as the final whistle blew. I couldn't wait to give her a big hug and tell her how wonderful she was.

After the game, I waited eagerly for her in the stands. She was signing stuff for some fans when she saw me. She ran in my direction and gestured for me to come down to the field. She immediately engulfed me in a big hug and it spoke volumes of the love we had for each other.

"You were amazing out there," I said, pulling away from her beaming with pride.

Esme blushed, her eyes glowing with happiness. "Thank you, love," she replied, her voice tinged with excitement. "It means the world to me to have you here, cheering me on."

"I'll always be your number one fan," I said, squeezing her hands. 

She leaned in to plant a soft kiss on my lips. "I'll make sure you're by my side every step of the way," she whispered, her eyes locked on mine. "No matter the distance, no matter the challenges, we'll face them together."

Touched by her words, I felt butterflies in my chest. "I believe in you, love," I said, my voice filled with conviction. "And I'm so proud to be with someone as talented and caring as you."

Esme's smile widened, and she pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around me protectively. "I couldn't ask for a better partner," she murmured against my hair. "You're my rock, and your love gives me the strength to chase my dreams."

We stood there enjoying each other's company. The World Cup was just the start of an exciting chapter in our lives. Esme's journey was certain to be full of difficulties and victories, but I was prepared to be there for her at every turn, encouraging and loving her unconditionally.

[doggerell]

dude if my ear pain is also tmj related 👎👎👎👎 fuck my stupid ass jaw

[hungerpunch]

okay actually. i am maybe going to cry lol. here is a non-exhaustive list of the medical professionals i have seen since i was in seventh grade:

too many internists (as primary care/general practice) to actually count. well over a dozen.

two neurologists

one spine specialist

seven physical therapists

two chiropractors

four massage therapists

three dentists

one oral surgeon

i have had many MRIs and x-rays. i have had a lot of blood taken. i have taken rounds of steroids and muscle relaxers for pain/symptom management. there have been times i could not turn my head to one side for months at a time. i have scoliosis, which wasn't figured out until the fifth or so physical therapist, even though previous chiropractors had taken x-rays of my spine.

here is a non-exhaustive list of reasons why i sought such intensive care:

debilitating migraines

severe back pain

severe neck pain

bad pain flares in my back teeth during times of stress

ear aches

here is a non-exhaustive list of things i have been told about myself by these professionals:

the enamel on my teeth was worn off and had to be artificially reapplied "because" i "brushed my teeth too aggressively."

that the reason my ears hurt was "because" i "cleaned them too aggressively" and there was no protective ear wax left.

that the lowest three discs in my spine were degenerating.

that i was grinding my teeth in my sleep.

that i was hyper-tensing in my sleep and that i should "take xanax daily & nightly to make it stop."

that i had scoliosis. (this one is 100% confirmed)

that i needed therapy to become less stressed so my muscles would relax.

that i needed massage therapy and other various treatments to address how tight all my fascia was in certain parts of my body.

that i should try mouth guards because the teeth grinding had started to do real damage.

that i should enter a sleep study for how intense and chronic my insomnia was.

that the pain in my hands/tingling in my fingers was because my wrists were too weak.

that there was "something evil stored" in my neck

and then. an anon yesterday asked if i had tmj. and i said probably not. and then @chronodyne slid me a message that said "re: tmj, mine is myofascial and i also don’t have the clicking/trouble opening my mouth."

so i did some reading.

starting with myofascial tmj got me here (cedars-sinai.org)

i paused to look up bruxism, which turns out to be the medical term for grinding/clenching your fucking teeth:

highlights are things i have experienced and sought or had medical attention for (dull headaches are not highlighted because i have only ever sought medical attention for migraines, though i certainly have dull headaches all the time).

okay. so i know i clench my jaw/grind my teeth in the daytime. and a dentist has told me before that it's evident i do it in my sleep, too. just the other day i woke up with a ravaged inside right cheek from chewing it in my sleep. so i can safely self-diagnose bruxism.

back to tmd.

highlights are symptoms i have experienced. i did not highlight teeth sensitivity because i would classify it as pain instead. but you don't understand the howl i let out internally when i read the ringing in the ears and numbness/tingling feeling in your fingers bullet points. i have been operating under the assumption that i have tinnitus and probably a very scary autoimmune disorder that i just am better off ignoring (this is not medical advice, it's avoidance). i'm not saying i don't have those things, but i also never knew there were other possibilities.

over the course of my life i have had many injuries to my neck and actually i have also had a pretty severe concussion before, which i would classify as a head injury. i have many of the symptoms listed for tmd. i have even undergone, incongruously, many of the treatments for it. so many doctors have noted and attempted to address issues with my fascia, with my muscles, with my tension.

it raising its ugly head when i'm stressed makes sense i literally said in my post yesterday DOES THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE WHEN THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE RAISES LOL SOB

i cannot conclusively diagnose myself with tmd or, for that matter, with mps (myofasical pain syndrome, which i had also never heard of!). but i am so, so frustrated because i have never even heard these words. i have never been screened for these things. no medical professional has ever discussed these possibilities with me, even when they're treating me for several of the symptoms!

i'm crying for all the tests i've undergone that led to nothing. always, infuriatingly, labeled a medical mystery. for the rounds of steroids and muscle relaxers i've been prescribed. for the painful manual manipulations i've been subjected to. for every single person who ever touched my body commenting on how tight/tense my neck is. for the addiction that stemmed from that first xanax prescription when i was 15 that caused so much fucking grief in my life. for the chronic pain that has swallowed whole decades of my life and sapped my energy since i was a child.

none of these symptoms were ever NOT disclosed to a medical professional. at each one, i did the immense labor of dragging out my entire, perplexing medical history, including injuries and past issues and treatments. but nobody ever thought to consider this? nobody, with all those degrees, with those long careers, with all those patients, ever thought to consider this? while i was in all those paper gowns, on all those cold tables, getting poked and prodded, crying, paying for tests i could not afford, so sleep deprived i thought i'd die at 25, nobody considered this?

anyway @chronodyne suggested seeing an oral surgeon to discuss this so. i guess that's what i'm looking up next.

[cass-ass]

I think it's real interesting that doctors will be like "yeah, sciatic pain is caused by the piriformis muscle pressing on the sciatic nerve" and then turn around and laugh when someone says massage helped or fixed their pain.

Like... bro massage therapy has been around for 5000+ years for a reason. Chinese medicine worked out muscle tension issues and patterns before we had your knowledge of internal anatomy and cortisone injections. And yes, the injections help- absolutely. Especially if someone has a bulging disc or something structurally wrong. But when it's a muscle tension issue? And you laugh when someone says loosening the muscle helped??? (There's also a lot of other stuff going on in a massage, like lymph movement to help your body move white blood cells where they need, and breaking up connective tissue that is holding muscles in place)

ALSO the injections were a method used by massage therapists in the 1980s. They were only moved into the medical field recently when they started with cortisone instead of a saline solution. Like we helped build your field and then you turn back and laugh at us and our ability to help people?

I have had so many clients come to me after having no relief from going to doctors for years and getting on pills, having surgeries, or doing so many tests. All turning up fine. But no doctor will say "hey, this could be a muscular issue, find a massage therapist that specializes in therapeutic/myofascial/pain relief massage." They just say "oh nothing is wrong! What a great thing for you! You're totally fine!" As if these people aren't hurting on a DAILY basis.

And massage doesn't fix everything, no. But when it takes your daily pain from a 8 to a 2? Or when it helps your joints not grind as much (cause they arent being pulled together by tense muscles) so you have less joint degeneration over time? That's worth it. I have chronic anxiety and I get migraines and my jaw hurts constantly and my ears ring when I dont get neck and TMJ massage (though I specialize in it now- internal and external- so I mostly do it on myself). My lower back hurts, my legs hurt, i have GI issues, I cant take as large of breaths, I get acid reflux, I cant twll when Im hungry, and bladder is tiny when I dont get abdominal and hip massage. The ONLY option given to me beforehand was pain meds. My mom has chronic anxiety and trauma and threw out her back on a monthly basis and had both knees replaced. And no doctor ever says "this is connected" but it IS.

I just want to work WITH modern medicine instead of feeling like Im trying to fight an uphill battle against doctors who just want to throw pain meds, surgeries, and injections at things that can be fixed with massage- especially if they are caught soon enough and not when someone is at their breaking point.

I want insurance to cover massage so my clients dont have to worry about having to weigh whether or not to be in pain or to eat.

I want to be taken seriously as someone who specializes in releasing muscular tension. I learned how the whole fucking body works to do my job. On a cellular level. On a nutrition level. I learned the name of every bone, every process of every bone, and nearly every single muscle in the body. I learned how they attach, how they overlap, how to identify muscle vs other types of tissue by feel. I learned the nerves that go through every muscle and how they affect each other. How if you have a tight muscle in your neck, it could exhibit as carpal tunnel because it's pinching the nerve and causing everything along it to tense up- and that can be true along ANY nerve. You can have foot pain because your hip is tight cause it pinches the nerve. And you can tell which nerve it is based on where the peripheral pain is and follow the entire nerve to the spine and find tension along the whole thing.

I learned about every gland, lymph node, and organ in the body. I learned about the different skin to skin transmittable diseases so not only do I not get anything, but also so I dont pass it on to the next client. I learned how to disinfect things properly for blood, piss, and other fluids. I learned what melanoma and other skin cancers look like and how cancerous tissue feels and reacts so I can identify it as an issue and tell people to go to the doctor and get it checked out. I learned about different diseases and medications that contraindicate with massage. I learned about how pregnancy can dislocate someone's hip with muscular tension and cause issues that doctors say are "normal" after pregnancy.

I learned how to identify what is tight on someone just by how they stand and walk. I learned how your emotions (especially ones you can't/wont physically show) affect what muscles you tense up and can make muscle tension worse- and sometimes when that muscle is release you feel that emotion come at you in waves. I had a chest massage trigger a mental breakdown because my brother had died only 3 months before and you tense your chest when you feel grief and cant express it.

I learned how different jobs affect your body. How not using your full range of motion in your daily life will limit your range of motion later.

I know a hell of a lot and only had 7 months to do it- some days I was in class for 10+ hours and then still had to go home and study. I worked my ass off to be in my field and to help people. And yet I am shut out of their health team and laughed at by doctors for "thinking I can help."

Massage WORKS. Does it fix cancer? No. Does it fix any other underlying disease? No. But it calms down your nervous system, helps your lymphatic system, helps your circulation, breaks up restrictive connective tissue, and releases tense muscles. Which means it makes you healthier, more flexible, in less pain, and calms down anxious reactions and overstimulation.

Please for the love of god, can massage be viewed as medical as it actually is?????