Choosing an Orthopedic Pillow for TMJ Relief

Among the three usual sleeping positions, side sleeping is the most common. A lot of people really find sleeping on their sides comfortable. It is not really a wonder why. Side sleeping offers a variety of advantages, one of which is preventing the irritating episodes of snoring. However, sleeping on our side can also cause different problems like stiff neck, frozen shoulders and TMJ disorder.

TMJ or the temporomandibular joint is the joint of the jaw where the mandible (lower jaw) connects to the temporal bone of the skull. Only a cartilage separates the two of them. This way, the mandible can slide easily, like what happens in the knee joint. When you talk and chew, you are actually using and moving your TMJ.  This therefore means that the TMJ is one of the frequently used joints in the body.

The symptoms of TMJ disorder include ear pain (usually in the morning), hearing loss, temple and cheek pain, sore jaw muscles, clicking of jaw, lock jaw, dizziness, and frequent head and neck aches in the morning.

The causes of TMJ disorder vary. Most of them, of course, are external. One of the most common causes of this disorder is bruxism or the unconscious and repetitive grinding of teeth at night. Other causes include traumas, excessive chewing, nail biting, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome and, as mentioned, improper side sleeping posture.

When a person sleeps on his side, his jaw is subjected to pressure. The weight of the entire head is focused on his TMJ. As a result, the person experiences jaw pain and TMJ disorder during his sleep, which will persist when he wakes up in the morning.

Diagnosing TMJ begins with a detailed tracing of the history of the patient and a complete assessment of his teeth occlusion and jaw and muscle functioning.

If the doctor identifies sleeping position as one of the primary reasons for acquiring a TMJ disorder, he would most probably require the patient to use an orthopedic pillow. Orthopedic pillows are proven effective to prevent and relieve the symptoms of TMJ disorder. Because these cushions are specially designed to provide proper support to the neck, the head and the spine, comfort is ensured and sleeping problems are thus prevented.

Some people say that Memory Foam orthopedic pillows can relieve TMJ. However, one should first consult his physician or therapist regarding this matter since the softness of this type of pillow may not be suitable for everyone.

Today, a new kind of orthopedic pillow is being sold in stores. This pillow supports the head, the neck and the TMJ whether the user intends to sleep on his side or on his back. This pillow has a rectangular shape with a concave half-hollow space in the middle, like a niche. If the user wishes to sleep on his back, he may insert his neck and head in this space. Below this is a small elevated support for the neck and the nape. If, on the other hand, the user wants to sleep on his side, he may choose one of the platforms located at both sides of the shallow space in the middle – whether he wants to sleep on his left side or on his right. This orthopedic pillow is proven by therapists and users alike to cause relief for people who are enduring TMJ pains.