TMJ/TMD from Ramin Mehregan

A Collection of Recipes for the TMD Patient

Recipes for the tmd patient from Ramin Mehregan

DIET FOR TMD (Temporomandibular Dysfunction)

Does This Sound Familiar?

"My jaw hurts and feels tired when I eat!"

"My jaw makes loud noises when I eat!"

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders involve the chewing muscles and joints connecting the lower jaw to the skull. Although TMJ is technically the abbreviation for the joint, people commonly use this term as shorthand for the disorders and symptoms.

The TMJ's:

The temporomandibular joints are located on each side of your head in front of your ears, connecting your lower jaw to your skull. A small cartilage disc separates the bones so the lower jaw slides easily. You move these joints every time you chew, swallow and talk, so they are used very frequently.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of TMJ can include jaw discomfort and tenderness or pain when opening or closing the mouth. You may find it uncomfortable to chew, or there may be popping or grating sounds when you move your jaw. TMJ can cause headaches, earaches, facial pain and neck, shoulder and back pain. Symptoms can be caused or worsened by physical stress on structures around the joint, poor posture, neck and facial muscle strain, lack of sleep, life stress and poor diet.  

The right diet is part of the treatment:

To lessen pain and other symptoms avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide and foods that require a lot of chewing. This gives your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest.

The Nutrition: 

1) Eat a good balanced diet to protect your TMJoints:

• Place yourself on soft diet (I don't mean liquid), which would consist of foods such as cooked vegetables, eggs, ground meat, fruits, etc.
• Avoid biting into a whole apple, corn on the cob, large pieces of lettuce in your salad, large pieces of meat, chewy snacks such as chips, and ice.
• For you chewing gum lovers out there......that is a definite "NO".
• By cutting down your food into small bite size pieces, you can reduce the stress to your chewing muscles and joints. And eat slower.......hmmmmm isn't that what our mother's used to tell us????

2) Try to avoid these items....why? They are known to cause muscle excitability and irritability:

• NutraSweet
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Sugar (yes that includes the old soda pop)
• Excessive dairy products
• Excessive salt (use sea salt)
• Whole Nuts

3) Foods that can reduce stress to your muscles and joints

• Water (how much??????) 

• Fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables
• Greens (Kale, Spinach, etc) 
• Whole grains (cereal, breads, etc)
• Chicken, fish, tender beef
• Complex carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes
• Herbal teas
• Almond/Soy Milk
• Greek yogurt (not those fruity sweetened stuff....add you own fruit and honey)
• Healthy, energy boosting smoothies 
• Some great links to healthy food and smoothie recipes that I frequent a lot:

1. http://simplegreensmoothies.com/
2. http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/
3. http://www.inspirelearnlive.com/50-natural-energy-boosting-smoothie/
4. http://www.topinspired.com/top-10-healthy-food-recipes/ 

Enjoy!

 

Listening To And Learning From YOU!

Is listening part of your practice culture?

A CRITICAL COMPONENT of personalized patient care is cultivating the art of listening. Listening is key to all communication, without the ability to listen effectively messages are easily misunderstood - communication breaks down and the sender of the message can easily become frustrated or irritated. 

Listening is not the same as hearing!

Being privileged to be a part of few TMJD discussion group forums, I frequently encounter posts like the following:

"I have found solution to my TMD and facial pain in meditation. I need to do more meditation to find the doctor. The doctor who listens and grasps the essence."

"My doctor says I am imagining my symptoms...because of the symptoms that comes with TMJ, I have stress and anxiety. It's awful and definitely not imagined!"

 "Some doctors will prescribe anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds because they think it is mental..."

"If a patient is following YOUR protocol....and has raised acute pain from your splints/orthotics....something is NOT right!! Please doctors don't blame the patient for non compliance. We are the ones that have to try and wear these (at times non measured) appliances.....and are in agony....not you....For the love of all that is good in this universe....please listen to your patients!!!"

"...please, oh please don't tell your patient that they are just stressed and need to relax. Anxiety and depression can be a factor in the process, but It isn't an excuse when you are having trouble helping your patient."

"...we become our own doctors when it comes to tmj so plllllease listen to your patient you never know it might help them.."

"Well that was a waste of time. He didn't even examine me, nor give me vitamin D. Spent 30 minutes saying it was all psychosomatic & that he didn't believe teeth could ever cause such problems."

"I am currently in severe headache with TMJ. God Please Help me. meds are useless and my doc keeps prescribing them to me....he doesn't get it..."

"I have been dealing with TMJ and ear problems for about 7 years. I've been to so many doctors and they all have different opinions and only hear themselves. I think they are all full of themselves..."

Unfortunately I could go on with these type of comments, and it saddens me to see so many professionals lacking the ability of effective listening. 

Effective listening requires concentration and the use of your other senses - not just hearing the words spoken. 

---

Listening is not the same as hearing and in order to listen effectively you need to use more than just your ears.

The 5 Principles of Listening

A good listener will listen not only to what is being said, but also to what is left unsaid or only partially said.

Effective listening involves observing body language and noticing inconsistencies between verbal and non-verbal messages.

1. Undivided Attention

• Open communication through active listening is the keystone of good health care. Active listening is a therapeutic technique that establishes trust in a health care professional-patient relationship. To begin, give the patient your undivided attention and refrain from interrupting until he is finished speaking. Ignore distracting thoughts and avoid outside distractions, including environmental factors and other people's conversations. Focus on the person to show he has your undivided attention.

• 2. Body Language

• • Body language is just as important as what you say during a conversation. Maintain eye contact and nod at appropriate times to show you are actively engaged in what your patient has to say. Avoid crossing your arms and keep an open posture to show you are open to communication. Avoid grimaces and frowns, which can discourage patients from sharing personal information due to embarrassment. Oftentimes, patients are already scared and uncomfortable when coming to an office or medical facility. By simply touching her hand, you can encourage her to share more details about her condition.

  • 3. Acknowledgement

  • • After listening to what your patient has to say, paraphrase her comments to verify your understanding of the situation. Not only will this clear up any misconceptions you have, but it also helps to validate the patient's feelings about what she is going through. Clarify important details by asking if you have a thorough understanding of what he is saying and feeling. Ask open-ended questions to help him elaborate on key aspects you want to take note of or record in his chart. As an active listener, the most important goal is to understand what your patient is saying.

    • 4. Nonjudgmental Attitude

    • • Once you have a thorough understanding of your patient's message, withhold judgment, even if you disagree. Avoid interrupting with counterarguments, which stifle conversation and can ruin trust. Critical comments will only frustrate the patient and limit your understanding of his message. As a medical professional, it is your job to provide care and understanding without judgment of your patient's choices and experiences.

      • 5. Response

      • • Active listening is based on honesty, trust and understanding. Provide your professional opinion of the situation, but don't talk down to the patient just because she doesn't have the same medical training as you have. By clarifying the patient's message, you can help him explore other points of view. Show your empathy for the patient by treating her with respect. Always treat patients the way you would want to be treated if the situation were reversed.
        • 
          

Ways Laughter And A Confident Smile Are Life Changing

"You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing."

BECAUSE IT USUALLY HAPPENS SPONTANEOUSLY, we don’t often think about smiling or laughing. However, they both really do make us feel better—and, studies continue to reveal more of their many benefits.

It boosts your immune system: 

Smiling really can improve your physical health, too. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system.

 Smiles are contagious:

It’s not just a saying: smiling really is contagious, scientists say. In a study conducted in Sweden, people had difficulty frowning when they looked at other subjects who were smiling, and their muscles twitched into smiles all on their own.

  Smiles relieve stress:

Your body immediately releases endorphins when you smile, even when you force it. This sudden change in mood will help you feel better and release stress.

 Forcing yourself to smile boosts your mood:

Psychologists have found that even if you’re in bad mood, you can instantly lift your spirits by forcing yourself to smile.

 It's easier to smile than to frown:

Scientists have discovered that your body has to work harder and use more muscles to frown than it does to smile.

 Smiling lifts your spirit and those around you:

Life is full of ups and downs. Smiling can reduce distressing emotions and be an invaluable tool in moving forward with our heads held high. And equally important, grins and chuckles can calm and comfort those around us. Here’s an example of how someone else’s smile (laugh) can lift YOUR day… I dare you to watch this video without smiling:

 Smiles are exercises for  your facial muscles:

53 muscles are used when you smile. Other smiles can take up to 5 muscles. So start working those muscles more often!

 Babies are born with the ability to smile:

Babies learn a lot of behaviors and sounds from watching the people around them, but scientists believe that all babies are born with the ability, since even blind babies smile.

 Smiling helps you get promoted:

Smiles make a person seem more attractive, sociable and confident, and people who smile more are more likely to get a promotion.

 Smiling fights stress:

If you're feeling burnt out and tired of the routine, just smile. When you smile, your body releases endorphins (aka “Happy Hormones”), even if it’s a fake smile, this sudden mood change will relieve stress.

 Smiling makes you look really pretty:

Who needs makeup when you have this secret ingredient to instant glam? A research study by Orbit Complete revealed that 69% of people find women who smile more attractive than women who wear a lot of makeup.

 Smiling may help you look younger:

That elusive fountain of youth may not be found in surgeries or potions—rather, a study suggests that the path to looking younger may be found through our smiles.

Mark Twain once wrote, “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been!” The act of smiling is a very uncomplicated and important human activity. It really isn’t important that your smile be perfect- but that you feel good about it and you give it away! If your stingy with your smile because it’s something less than what you want it to be, I can help – Smiles are the best that you can put on!