Sounds medical. Holding your breath has absolutely nothing to do with clenching your jaw.
Member
Lifting with TMJ (and undergoing physical therapy for jaw)
Hello Rip,
Well, I must say, I'm ready to be criticized by you after posting this. But, it's definitely worth it.
So, about 3 months ago I was diagnosed with TMJ in my jaw (locked out jaw). It's cause was unknown. However, yesterday I started getting physical therapy on it. My therapist told me that I should not put any serious strain on my jaw for a few months. Serious as in, clinching teeth tightly together, and eating tough foods.
Although, when I lift, I always clinch my teeth and hold my breath. Thus, causing substantial amount of strain on my jaw. The tissue in my mouth is all torn up, so holding my breath hurts like shit.
How should I lift without clinching my teeth and straining my jaw, and be able to still do all my lifts without hurting my jaw?
TMPHBITEU
Sounds medical. Holding your breath has absolutely nothing to do with clenching your jaw.
Member
A lot of lifters use a gumshield-type mouth piece for this purpose. Although your TMJ might be too far gone by now, but it might help.
Your dentist should be able to make one for you in about 15 minutes, and i guess you can probably get one yourself online (boil and bite style). Both are cheap.
Your dentist will often make this for people who grind their teeth in their sleep, which you might do (especially if your caffiene intake is high), and your therapist seems to have not acknowledged this fact.
G'luck!
Member
What, specifically, is going on with your TMJ? "TMJ" can refer to numerous symptoms. I have a TMJ issue -- one of the disks in my TMJ has slipped, resulting in pain when I try to open my mouth very wide -- but it hasn't affected my lifting.
How long have you had this? Has it been getting better at all?
P.S. for those reading who don't know, TMJ is temporo-mandibular joint, or something like that. It's basically the jaw joint. When someone says "I have TMJ" it means "I have a TMJ disorder".
Member
Try not clenching your jaw when you hold your breath. Report back results.
Member
But, isn't clenching your jaw on heavy weight almost a natural reaction? I mean, I just can control it when I squat heavy.Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe
TMPHBITEU
Once again, the Valsalva has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with clenching your jaw. NOTHING. Learn to control this.
Member
It can be done quite easily. I've done it, in fact, when my TMJ issues were acting up. If you are reasonably proficient at squatting, take 5% of your brain away from focusing on the squat and concentrate on keeping your jaw loose. That's really all there is too it.
Member
You were right. The second I posted this, I was like "shit", I should have said TMD (temporo-mandiublar disorder).
Anyhow, I have the same problem as you do. One of my disks has slipped, according to my TMJ specialist. He told me I don't need a splint for my current condition. In my condition, my jaw is locked out, so I cannot open it beyond a point; and if I do, it gives me hell. I'm also unable to bite down on anything hard or excessively chew (gum/chips). Usually biting down on my teeth gives me hell.
I've had this problem for about 3.5 months. It hasn't got any better. But once again, I just started getting physical therapy on my jaw this week. Once a week, along with isometric jaw exercises I have to do everyday. Also, the therapy isn't a pleasant experience. It leaves me with a extremely sore jaw every time I'm done with it. It's still sore, and I haven't gotten PT for 4 days (so as the inner part of my mouth; the tissue within it).
So, what's your suggestion?
Member
Don't moan at me about this, i don't clench because of vasalva :¬) I did go through a period of grinding my teeth in my sleep, due to exam stress.
I just thought i might let him know of that option that others use, just trying to help if i can :¬)
Posting Permissions