Natural Health Alternative Blog

If you’ve ever seen someone with Bell’s Palsy, often times you would describe that person as appearing like a stroke victim. One side of the face with no muscular control, slack and paralyzed.

Bell’s Palsy is a sudden onset (generally a day or less) of weak, numb, tingling, pain and/or paralyzed face muscles. It’s affectation is unilateral (one side of the face only).

As mentioned above, the sufferer looks like he or she has suffered a stroke but because the face muscles are controlled by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) which leads directly to the skull and not the spinal cord, the paralysis is confined only to the face.

Bell’s Palsy has no known organic cause and so diagnosis is exclusionary – other causes such as brain tumor, stroke, diabetes, meningitis and head trauma must first be ruled out.

Research indicates that in 60 percent of Bell’s Palsy cases, Herpes Simplex 1 (cold sore, not STD) is thought to be the cause but again this is still a theory. In such cases, anti-viral treatments can be prescribed but the benefits of such treatment are still largely controversial.

Other tried cures include steroids and chiropractic treatments to the head and neck. Again though, a “cure” has yet to be found.

Oftentimes, the condition will correct itself in as little as two weeks without treatment, especially if the condition is only partial paralysis of one side of the face, not complete paralysis of one side of the face.

If complete paralysis, the condition can last for weeks, even months, with some reporting symptoms as long as up to a year. This isn’t the only cause for concern though.

The eye muscles control the ability to blink and even close the eye. If the eye dries out, permanent corneal damage can occur.

Additionally, the ability to chew and swallow are affected by Bell’s Palsy, depending on the level of paralysis.

Recent studies however, report relief from Bell’s Palsy symptoms when patients are treated for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder.

Although the conditions do not appear to be related (TMJ disorder affects the joint that connects the jaw to the skull, whereas Bell’s Palsy affects the facial nerve), the TMJ treatments seem promising to provide relief to Bell’s Palsy sufferers.

If you suffer from TMJ disorder or Bell’s Palsy, I encourage you to try my all natural TMJ No More program. It has been successful at helping thousands of people and I hope you will be one of them!

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A couple my wife and I enjoy spending time with were recently discussing her bad (unconscious) habit of grinding her teeth (also called bruxing) in her sleep. He said he sometimes couldn’t sleep for the sound of it.

She purchased a “bite guard” for several hundred dollars from her dentist which helped reduce wear and tear on her teeth and relieve her headache she usually woke with but it did not stop her from bruxing.

Because she had been a “grinder” for several years, she also developed TMJ.

For those who suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ, life is no picnic. This is a disorder which affects the temporomandibular joint.

This joint is what connects the mandible (jawbone) to the skull.

TMJ actually involves several components around the joint – teeth, muscles, tendons, nerves, bones, connective tissue, and ligaments. Symptoms can involve pain and/or dysfunction in any of these areas and likely more than one.

Causes of TMJ are as varied as who one should see to treat it since it affects so many areas of the head neck and face. Common causes include:

Excessive gum chewing, the aforementioned bruxing, trauma or injury to the joint, misalignment of the teeth (“off bite”), nail biting, and degenerative diseases of the joint.

Other symptoms include a “popping” or “clicking” sound when moving the jaw, sensitive teeth (due to damage suffered due to an incorrect bite), facial pain, earache, tinnitus (ringing in the ear).

Another result of TMJ can be hearing loss due to how close the joint is to the ear. The pain causes the muscles inside the inner ear that hold the ear bones to contract.

This in turn forces the ear bones not to move. Hearing loss occurs because these bones have to move in order to hear sound well.

This, in fact, is what was happening to our friend. It was her husband that pointed out that she was forcing him to repeat everything he was saying to her.

Hearing can be restored if the pain from TMJ is relieved. Pain medications can help to temporarily relieve this pain, however, all medications (including over the counter medications) have unpleasant side effects.

If you are looking for a natural way to relieve your TMJ symptoms and curb the habit of bruxing, I recommend my TMJ No More program. My programs have helped thousands, as client feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive!

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How many of you have been told by your spouse, or sleep partner that you grind your teeth in your sleep? How many times have you woken with a dull aching headache and sore jaw and wondered why?

Like millions of others, you are likely suffering from teeth grinding, or Bruxism. While most of us grind our teeth occasionally, this is not a major concern.

The problem is that most people who grind their teeth do it while sleeping and don’t realize it.

It’s not until one wakes with the above mentioned headache or sore jaw that realization sets in. For some, only a dentist examining the whittling effects on the teeth or someone hearing the person grinding in his or her sleep notifies the person of what he or she is doing.

Why is this a problem? For many with chronic Bruxism, they will eventually grind their teeth down or fracture them to the point that they need crowns, bridges or even dentures.

Additionally, constant grinding can lead to TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). This is a disorder in which the joint connecting the jaw gets out of alignment, causing progressively severe pain and difficulty chewing and sometimes even swallowing.

For some, teeth grinding occurs as a result of an abnormal bite. Your doctor can determine if tooth mis-alignment is the cause and will take steps to correct this. Your dentist will also likely prescribe a custom-made tooth guard to protect your teeth.

For many, the cause of teeth grinding is stress, pure and simple. I know of one client who has to wear her bite guard in traffic just because her stress level is so high and she grinds her teeth (even though awake) without realizing it.

While a tooth guard is a good short term fix for tooth grinding, even if stress induced, the more attractive solution would be to find a way not to grind one’s teeth.

While this may seem impossible, given that most grind their teeth when they don’t realize it, it is possible.

Some simple tips to help include: positioning your tongue in between your teeth to avoid grinding (for daytime grinders), avoiding alcohol, limiting caffeine, and not chewing on anything that isn’t food, including gum. When getting ready to fall asleep remember, “mouth closed, teeth open.”

While the above mentioned tips will help, a plan to remove the stress causing Bruxism is key. This is why I recommend my TMJ No More program. It’s an all natural program designed to reduce stress and works not only for TMJ disorder but also for teeth grinding. Try it – it’s amazing!

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I was recently at a friend’s house who likes to occasionally indulge in sweets – specifically, chocolate. He was excited because he recently discovered that eating a Snickers bar after it’s been in the freezer is even more enjoyable than a Snickers bar at room temperature.

He mentioned that his wife doesn’t love this new discovery since she suffers from Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) syndrome. Apparently, the cold of the candy affected her condition. Becoming interested, I continued to ask my friend questions about her condition and symptoms she was experiencing.

Many of the symptoms my friend’s wife experienced with TMJ disorders were ones I expected, given that I have already performed massive research on the condition in order to create my TMJ program. A few of her symptoms and triggers though, were surprising.

TMJ actually refers to the temporomandibular joint. Many people mistakenly refer to TMJ itself as a disorder, however, TMJ syndrome, and TMJ disorders are synonymous terms which describe disorders of this joint.

The TM J is extremely important because it allows us to eat (chew), talk and yawn. It is made up of blood vessels, muscles, nerves and bones. TMJs are located on each side of the face, in front of the ears. The TMJ is what connects the jawbone to the skull.

This joint can be felt if you place your finger in front of your ear and then open and close your mouth. The jawbone has two movements – opening and closing the mouth or acting as a hinge and a gliding action which allows the mouth to open wide.

A disorder is caused when the joint becomes eroded and it slides out of its alignment. Certain medical conditions like arthritis can damage the cartilage which helps make up the joint. An injury or trauma to the joint can also cause the disorder.

Sometimes, the condition can be caused from overusing the joint. This is why when your dentist tells you it’s not healthy to grind or clench your teeth, he or she is not just referring to eroding your teeth, but also causing a TMJ disorder. Some people are born with the condition due to improper development of the joint.

Triggers include grinding or clenching your teeth repeatedly (mentioned above), posture (many of us lean forward when staring at the computer), direct exposure to air-conditioning on the face, eating cold foods or cold drinks, lack of sleep and stress.

Women are more likely to suffer from TMJ than men and the condition affects 5-15% of the population, although experts in the disorder argue that many cases go undiagnosed so the number is likely higher.

Symptoms include: Pain or tenderness of the jaw, pain in the face (40% of sufferers complain of this), difficulty opening and closing the mouth, headache (80% of sufferers complain of this), uneven bite, difficulty and/or pain in chewing, earache or pain around the ear, and neck pain. Some sufferers even experience a clicking sound when they open their mouth, although a clicking sound unaccompanied by pain my not necessarily indicate TMJ disorder.

The great news though is that in MOST cases, surgery is not required. If you know the cause of your TMJ disorder is from habitually grinding your teeth (most of us do it in our sleep and don’t know it), your dentist can take a mold of your teeth and create what is known as a bite guard – a plastic mouthpiece designed specifically for your mouth, which keeps the teeth from coming into contact and grinding.

In my friend’s wife’s case, though, extremely cold food or drink or direct exposure to the air-conditioning in car rides was the trigger (the cold temperature increases muscle contraction). I suggested she try my TMJ program. The results were “immediate and wonderful” for my friend’s wife.

In fact I’ve received incredible reviews of my TMJ program, many of which indicated that they tried repeated products and treatment methods and were only trying my program as a last ditch effort to avoid surgery. If you are one of these people, or you simply prefer an all natural program, please give mine a try! I also strongly recommend my Natural Migraine and Headache Program.
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On a recent flight from New York to London, I overheard the lady across the aisle from me telling her husband that her TMJ was acting up and she was going to need a sip of water so that she could take some aspirin.

As soon as the flight attendant arrived, this woman that was overcome with pain began to tell a rather long story about the anguish she had been experiencing since she developed TMJ and how it always got worse when she was flying.

I resisted the temptation to let her know that we all have TMJ, which actually stands for the temporomandibular joint, a unique joint on either side of our jaw formed by the union of our temporal bone (skull) and the mandible (lower jaw).

The actual pain that is encountered when our TMJ malfunctions is known as TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder (or dysfunction).

Acting as a “shock absorber” so to speak, the TMJ allows movement forward and backward, side to side and up and down. When the muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other tissues associated with them become stressed or inflamed, TMD can be the result.

This can cause an assortment of ailments including headaches, neck aches, back aches, swelling of the face, jaw pain, and an inability to chew or swallow without some degree of pain.

It isn’t clearly understood why TMD affects women in much larger numbers than men, but there are a number of studies which suggest that the frequent relief brought on by pregnancy is an indication that TMD is affected by hormonal changes in the body.
Again I resist commenting to my aisle mate, as I’m almost certain she’d rather take her aspirin in lieu of getting pregnant. On the other hand, we do have a rather long flight ahead of us.

Now I’m not suggesting that morning sickness, labor, delivery, child rearing and college tuition are worth the nine months of relief that one might enjoy away from TMD, but many experience such severe pain that pregnancy might be a welcome alternative. For men who suffer, along with those beyond the childbearing years, arthritis medications may offer some relief.

Some report that ice or heat packs have been found to give the temporary relief that they seek. But for the most severe cases, when opening the mouth has become too painful to endure, surgery is often recommended.

Before resorting to such extreme measures, it would be prudent to note that many find relief by eating soft foods, avoiding chewing gum, beef jerky or jawbreakers.
Resist yawning and singing and remember that any extreme movement such as chewing ice or holding the phone between your shoulder and your jaw should also be avoided.
Above all else, don’t overlook the possibility that simple stress could be the lone culprit in this misery we call TMD. Along with stress, many experience jaw clenching, teeth grinding and poor posture.

These are all believed by many to be at the root of many TMD problems. So before you opt for surgery OR pregnancy, sit up straight, take a deep breath, spit out your gum and just relax.

An even better source for relief can be found in my program “TMJ No More”, an all-natural alternative to traditional therapies. Learn how just a few simple facial exercises done each day can eliminate your TMJ pain for good!

Warm regards,

Christian Goodman

TMJ (short for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) is a disorder concerning the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. This disorder often results in dysfunction in the movements and position of the jaw, which aggravates over time if left untreated. It is estimated that over 11 million Americans may suffer from TMJ at any given time.

TMJ sufferers experience a good deal of discomfort and pain in the neck and jaw area. They may also be susceptible to migraines and may even develop Fibromyalgia eventually.

Some “experts” claim TMJ is caused by continued movement of the jaw beyond its normal limits, such as forward or sideways, which may in turn be caused by excessive gum chewing, nail biting, dental neglect, or trauma (accident).

Yet many other individuals suffer from TMJ despite steering clear of all its known causes. Is this due to a new, exciting, previously-unknown cause, one that would mark a colossal new way of looking at TMJ?

Well, yes and no. Yes, because not many know about these new causes, and no, because they shouldn’t surprise you – these are what causes TMJ in the first place.

Anxiety is the first cause.

You’ve probably experienced it before – when you’re scared, apprehensive, or anxious, you tend to stiffen up. Your muscles tense up, you tremble, your jaw is set rock-hard. What happens when you experience anxiety on a regular basis?

Think of the occasional aches and pains that seem to come out of nowhere. Did it ever boggle you that there never seems to be a physical cause for these pains?

Well, now you know what caused them. And when you unconsciously set your jaw whenever you go through your daily dose of stress, it may eventually add up to a TMJ problem.

Wrong body position is the other cause.

Your parents probably told you not to slouch when you were a kid. And if you’re suffering from back problems now, you’re probably wishing you’d have listened.

The same goes for TMJ. Many of us have incorrect jaw positions – it may be too far out or in. And surprisingly, sitting the wrong way (or too much) can do this.

On the Discovery Channel, you’ve probably seen women in third world countries carrying heavy loads directly on top of their heads. Ever wonder how they manage to carry these loads day after day and not suffer from any shoulder, neck, and jaw problems?

The reason is simple – it’s because they carry the loads directly over their heads. This way, the muscles in their neck and shoulders sustain the weight the way nature designed them to.
But when the women happened to tip their heads forward, the weight would immediately cause them to tip forward and lose their balance.

See the connection?

Your head, when it’s straight over the body, isn’t that heavy at all. But when you tip forward, it begins to feel quite a bit heavier. Your neck and shoulder muscles often can’t carry the extra load, and your jaw has to help out to keep the head level.

Over time, the extra strain manifests in a TMJ disorder.

In any case, most doctors prescribe painkillers to ease the pain of TMJ, but these medications rarely work in the long term. These medications may ease the pain temporarily, but do nothing to alleviate TMJ’s root causes

My TMJ No More program does just that. With simple exercises that relax the muscles around the TMJ and restore the jaw’s natural position, it addresses TMJ at its source, effectively ending the misery caused by this disorder.

Does it work? Apparently, hundreds of my customers who have tried it themselves definitely think so. Check out my TMJ No More program and see what brought the smiles back on their faces.

Warm Regards,

Christian Goodman