We recently had another request to blog about tension headaches from a treated patient. "you don't realize how much time and money I spent trying to solve my problem. I never would have realized my neck and shoulders hurt because of my teeth.". Luckily for her, she has a caring chiropractor in North Hampton who sensed the signs and symptoms of "tmj" and referred our tense patient to me. It should be stated Dr. Sophia unravelled the patients many symptoms of headaches, neck and shoulder tension, ringing in the ears after many attempts by the patient to seek therapy in the modern medical maze. Ct scans, MRI's, recommendations for anti-depressant pills, pain medications, lost work time, etc. commonly referred as the medical maze. The patient reported ringing ears as her primary complaint. My examination revealed tense, non-tender facial muscles. Her present night guard was unacceptable in function in my opinion. The patient stated she hates wearing it, thinks it is part of the problem. Needless to say she was underwhelmingly excited to hear me say "I want to make you a new one.". She gave me a try after I discussed my intentions to make her a new bite on the night guard, and added my knowledge about what I felt was the problem. We delivered the guard last week, and I set up a follow-up appointment for 2 days as I was eager to hear about her body's response to the night guard. Sure enough, after several years of dealing with headaches and pain in the neck and shoulders.....she felt much more relaxed, less tense, less pain in her temporalis region (sides of head). Headaches were gone with the tension. After only 2 days wearing her new splint (night guard) made with basic physics in mind, her symptoms were improving drastically. The most fulfilling part for me was when I escorted the patient out. No, it was not when she paid the fee for the night guard. Patient X questioned at the front desk "since when did you add birds and ocean sounds out here.....?". I smiled knowing the ringing in her ear will continue to improve over time. The birds and ocean sounds were here the first day I opened, she was hearing them for the first time because the tension was taken out of her joint. The tension release finally allowed the fluids from inflammation to disperse. The inflammatory fluids caused the ringing sound in her ears. The joint is in close proximity to our ear canal. The tension was pushing or pulling the "cushion" between her bones in the joint, causing joint derengement. So, by turning the muscles down, we reduced her muscular tension and the strain applied on the joint. This relieved the pressure, reducing her body's healing process, which initially includes the inflammatory process of injury. Much like the theory of Communism. Communist societies first have "iron fist" political policies followed by several transitioning phases until utopia has been reached. Healing like utopia, is the final goal. However, your body is stuck like the USSR was in the "iron fist" stage of primary inflammation, actually causing more injury to the joint itself. No more inflammation, no more fluids. As the fluids disperse, she is beginning to hear as the ringing sound is going away. Headaches are gone. Neck and shoulder tension has been released. Mornings she feels relaxed and wakes with her jaw unclamped. Those of you still reading may want to nudge the person beside you, they are probably sleeping. Several clinicians that I have treated in addition to their referred patients, have expressed interest in team-treatment. Please email me any questions.....mahalo. Matt