#194 TMD and Headaches

I have now spoken, written, and lectured hundreds of times about how headaches are the most common symptom associated with TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).  This article will be my attempt to make science easy to understand and demonstrate the science with a couple of diagrams supplied by my AI buddy, (Rene’).  Credit, where credit is due. 

Up until now the direction of investigation and treatment for TMD has been completely symptom driven.  My investigations determined that all the disparate symptoms of TMD originate and are directly caused by chronic inflammation within the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint).  That is the simplicity of the entire disease.  TMD is not multiple diseases. It is a singular disease. One disease, many symptoms. 

Here is the description of what happens.  First the joint needs to be damaged.  There are 3 circumstances that damage a TMJ.  1, Bruxism (Clenching and Grinding), 2.   Acute trauma, and 3. Functional malocclusion.  Once damaged the joint becomes inflamed in an attempt to heal itself.  (Inflammation is the bodies attempt to heal)  If the cause of injury continues or is too great the inflammation changes characteristics and is now called chronic inflammation.  Chronic inflammation is quite different from routine inflammation and can actually damage surrounding structures.   

The chronic inflammation then sends a signal to the brain stem that the joint is damaged. The brain then returns a signal to the muscles that move the TMJ to tighten and hold the joint motionless in an attempt to assist healing.  When the muscles of mastication (Jaw muscles) get the signal to tighten they pull on the covering of the facial bones (periosteum). Within the periosteum are the nociceptors (pain receptors) which when stimulated sends signals back to the brain interpreted as pain where ever the muscles are attached.  This creates pain that can move around the face from top of the scalp to the tip of the chin.   

Now that you can visualize the cycle of chronic inflammation that creates headaches, take a look at how the Urbanek Device and Protocol treats this disease by unloading the TMJ, decreasing the chronic inflammation and decreasing the headaches.