TMJ Lost Trigger Point
Ok here’s a crazy one for you. The least known cause of TMJ pain is from a trigger point located all the way down in the soleus muscle. Don’t believe me? Check out the Travell and Simons Red Books. I promise you it’s there. So after you have exhausted all other approaches to a patient’s TMJ problem take a look at the soleus. You will probably find it very sensitive. It is in most people since it is never actually examined properly as an underlying cause of pain.
Other symptoms it may cause are:
- Sacroiliac Pain
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Shortness of Breath
- Chronic Scalene and First Rib Fixations.
So make sure you look at the soleus muscle whenever you have a patient in your office with these conditions. They will be glad you took the time. If you find trigger points (and you will). Treat them accordingly. My favorite method is high power Class 4 laser therapy with 600 joules. Combine with myofascial release. Gets the job done every time. Until next time..
Dr. Perry Nickelston, DC VP PRactice Development, K-LaserUSA and Director of the Pain Laser Center
1-973-800-6570