TMJ Pain? Try these poses for proven relief.
6 Yoga Poses to Treat TMJ Pain Without Medication
Have you ever experienced pain in your jaw, perhaps from clenching your teeth or chewing hard or sticky foods? If so, you may be suffering from TMJ.
Temporomandibular joint pain, better known as TMJ, is an agonizing ailment caused by the over-exertion of the temporomandibular joint, which essentially acts as a sliding hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. While TMJ is a relatively common health issue, many who suffer from it struggle to find real relief from the pain it causes.
Here’s a surprising fact! Relief from temporomandibular joint pain CAN be found– through yoga! The following article unveils six specific yoga poses proven to relieve the pain caused by TMJ.
Note: If you have chronic TMJ, please consult a physician before taking on any exercise routine.
By Ravi Teja
1. Eagle Arms:
Steps:
- Take your arms to the sides and swing your left elbow under the right.
- Depending upon the flexibility of your arms, either you can take the backs of both the hands together, or touch both the palms.
- Firmly slide your shoulder blades down your back, and as you do so, lift your elbows up to the shoulder height. Simultaneously, press your forearms away from your face.
- Curl your spine and bring your elbows in towards your chest. As you do this, further open the muscles of the shoulder and those at the base of the neck.
- Stay in this position and deeply exhale and inhale for about ten times.
- Repeat the entire exercise, this time with your right elbow under your left.
2. Head Tilt:
Image: Shutterstock Steps:
- Sit in a comfortable position with your spine erect.
- Hold out your left arm to the side and tilt your head so that your right ear touches your right shoulder.
- Throughout the exercise, ensure your spine is erect.
- Using your right hand, bring back your head to the centre.
- Repeat the entire exercise on your other side.
3. Hand Clasping:
Image: Shutterstock Steps:
- Sit comfortably and clasp your hands together behind your back.
- You can interlace your fingers, or if that feels uncomfortable, you can grasp a towel instead.
- Try touching both the palms to each other.
- As you breathe deeply, slowly expand your chest and extend your arms behind you.
4. Chin Tucking:
Steps:
- Keeping your breastbone lifted, tuck your chin in towards your chest.
- And as you exhale, expand the back of the neck.
5. Head Massaging:
6. ‘Superman’ (A Variation Of The Locust Pose):
Steps:
- Begin this pose by lying on your stomach.
- Spread your feet wide and bring your forehead down to the floor.
- Spread your arms forward so that your body forms an ‘X’ shape.
- Exhale, and as you do so, lift your limbs as high as you can. Once you have lifted your limbs, inhale.
- Lower your limbs. Repeat for about 8 to 10 times.
Read the full article from Stylecraze here.
