TMJ/TMD help-Botox or lidocaine or prolotherapy recommendations
Hello. My 16-year-old daughter has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disease, and one her her many problems is terrible TMJ/TMD. She's tried a splint, physical therapy, acupuncture, cupping, dry-needling, chiropractic and more, and at this point we are interested in finding a practitioner, preferably in Berkeley or Oakland, who can do botox or lidocaine injections, and/or prolotherapy. TMJ/TMD gives her constant headaches and frequent migraines and we are willing to travel for treatment. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.
Oct 12, 2018
Parent Replies
Hello, Pediatric Rheumatology at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital (Mission Bay) does botox injections (under anesthesia when appropriate) for a variety of joint and connective tissue problems. Ask your daughter's primary care doctor to refer her to Pediatric Rheumatology there for an appointment. I think all the practitioners are great, but particularly Dr. William Bernal. In addition to rheumatology he's also an expert in pediatric pain. He's just very easy going and approachable, especially for adolescents. Best of luck!
Hi,
TMJ is often associated with undiagnosed tongue tie. Seeing an Oral Myofunctional Therapist for an evaluation of function and oral restriction is a good idea. Maybe before a botox or lidocaine injection. You would find out about muscle imbalances, clenching, and whether or not the tongue is tied. If tied, you would embark on rehab exercises (maybe worthwhile without revision or tie or even if no tie present), receive recommendations for body work (which won't 'hold' if tied, but will help release after revision), and possibly recommendations for release. You might look at the tongue tied adults and tongue tied kids fb pages. There are testimonies from those with TMJ, migraine, and interestingly Ehlers-Danos Syndrome who were helped by the process of OMT, tie release, and bodywork. I'm sorry I can't help with the request. It's my hope that info about the TMJ/Migraine and tongue tie connection is helpful in finding the root cause of the difficulty, and thus relief. All best.
Dr Jennifer Buchanan, a dentist in San Rafael, specializes in helping patients with TMJ/TMD. She connects patients with a provider who can accommodate someone with jaw, neck, face disorders. I had multiple disorders and she connected me with an endodontist who "gets it." She is very sympathetic as she too has experienced these issues in her life.