How to temporarily treat TMJ syndrome in the absence of a doctor

How to temporarily treat TMJ syndrome in the absence of a doctor

Temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJD is one of the most common facial syndromes and affects millions of people. This is called Temporomandibular or TMJ joint syndrome by others. TMJ syndrome is a collection of acute and chronic signs and symptoms related to the structure and function of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the entire skull.

Many people say TMJ is related to discomfort in the area but technically, TMJ itself, or the Temporomandibular joint are two joints on the opposite side of your face right in front of the ear. Our TMJ helps us open, close and move our mouths and that is where our jaws attach to our skulls.

Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders depend on what causes these signs and symptoms to occur but the most common of them is pain. The pain can be short term or it can be long term depending on the reason why there is pain. Activities where a person moves the muscles and bones in the joints can also produce popping or grinding noises. In some cases there may even be pain in other areas of the head such as migraines, headaches and earaches especially in the morning.

Many health conditions can damage the structure of the TMJ and can cause it to fail to function. TMJ syndrome can be caused by something as simple as a sports injury or by something serious like depression. Because Temporomandibular joint syndrome can be caused by a variety of health conditions, … Continue Reading >>>

Autism – Help With the High Cost of Therapy

Autism - Help With the High Cost of Therapy

Having a child diagnosed on the Autism spectrum is difficult and heart breaking for parents. There are so many unknowns with which to contend. How functional will the child be as an adult? How severe is their specific diagnosis? As a spectrum of developmental disorders, diagnoses can range from classic autism to high functioning autism, from Asperger’s syndrome to Pervasive Developmental Delay. Each has different challenges and potential outcomes in terms of a child’s development and later independence. Once the initial shock of the diagnosis wears off, however, there are additional challenges in terms of paying for treatments and therapies.

For a young family without healthcare insurance, an autism diagnosis can be even more difficult to face. Treatment for autism includes occupational therapy, play/socialization therapy, behavior modification therapies, visits to developmental pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and even psychiatrists when needed. Children on the spectrum may need a variety of medications at different times in their development to help with things such as anxiety, impulse control, and other challenges. It often takes a team of medical and developmental professionals for a child on the spectrum to reach their full potential and learn to overcome some of their challenges. These multidisciplinary teams and their suggested treatment options are expensive for someone without insurance.

Even those families who have health insurance often struggle with overwhelming costs not covered by medical insurance. Adaptive toys, therapeutic equipment, and home safety devices are often not covered. Children with autism are characteristically wanderers, requiring parents to invest in … Continue Reading >>>