TMJ disorders and Anxiety are closely linked. Anxiety is fueled by excessive sympathetic output in the autonomic nervous system. tends to increase TMD Symptoms. Neuromuscular Dentistry is especially good at addressing both of these issues.
The Myomonitor is a ULF-TENS unit used to relax masticatory muscles to achieve a healthy rest position for the lower jaw. While it pulses the muscles it also acts as a stimulator of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion or SPG.
The Sphenopalatine Ganglion is the largest Parasympathetic Ganglion of the head and also has many sympathetic nerves run through it as well. It is located on the the maxillary branch of the Trigeminal Nerve.
The use of the myomonitor simultaneously relax the muscles and serves to reset the autonomic nervous system.
SPG Blocks with lidocaine are also used to treat many types of pain, anxiety, depression and PTSD. There are many amazing stories related to SPG Blocks.
In 1986 a best selling book, Miracles on Park Avenue was written about the NYC practice of Dr Milton Reder an ENT whose entire practice was administering SPG Blocks.
I have been doing these magical blocks for over 30 years and teach physicians and dentists the techniques.
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks can be utilized to desensitize patients with phobias and Social Anxiety. Social Anxiety as well as other phobias are sympathetiic overloads that can be reversed with SPG Blocks as a part of a coordinated treatment. When the sympathetic overload is turned down and the parasympathetics dominate it is possible to overcome this disabling anxiety. Inderal or propanolol has also been utilized for this purpose as well in treating stage fright and other phobias.
