Claire Pearson struggled to force a smile as she chatted with a coworker during a holiday luncheon. But every time she opened her mouth to speak or chew, agonizing pain shot through her jaw. I don't know how much longer I can live this way, she despaired.
All her adult life, Claire had suffered with chronic jaw pain caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, inflammation of the joints on the sides of the jaw due to injury or strain.
Talking and chewing were excruciating for Claire. Even small movements of her jaw during sleep would cause shooting pain and jolt her awake. If she opened her mouth wide-say, to bite into an apple or sing her favorite Christmas carol—she sometimes feared she wouldn't be able to close it again.
Over the years, Claire's pain evolved into blinding migraines that forced her to miss work and family activities while she lay in bed for 24-or more-hours.
Her doctors prescribed medicine to manage the pain, and she even tried Botox injections in her temples and jaw, which brought some relief, but didn't feel like a sustainable long-term solution. I wish I could find a natural way to end my jaw pain for good, Claire thought, feeling hopeless.
When the TMJ pain started to radiate from her jaw to her neck and upper shoulders, making it almost impossible to turn her head, Claire worried she had developed a spinal health issue. She saw a chiropractor, who said the problem was muscle tension and suggested stretching exercises. Massage therapists, dentists and doctors had mentioned the same in passing, but it was hard for Claire to believe simple stretches could ease such severe pain. But, desperate, she decided, I guess it's worth a try.
A free miracle cure
This story is from the December 26, 2022 edition of Woman's World.
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This story is from the December 26, 2022 edition of Woman's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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