Comments on Profile Post by HeavyMantra

My low end is somewhat that way. Usually evenings it acts up lately. Never had a full day off everything though. Consider yourself lucky

I honestly don't understand what you're saying

You said your Tinnitus is one day on and one day off. I have low frequency Tinnitus as well as high. My low T fluctuates although the high is constant. Consider yourself lucky you have days off.

Make sense?

Day off = not having intrusive T that I hear over Everything. I do consider myself lucky

Gotcha. I thought you meant completely off

I commented on your pillow/sleep below . I suspect that your sleep position/posture might be effecting your T.

I think so too sometimes, I have neck pain everyday. I have a supposedly good pillow though. I do have bruxism when sleeping and not the best posture

The pillow is important, but it must fit your sleeping position, too (side or back sleeping). I have separate pillows for this (more height for side pillow). And when I sleep on my back, I occasionally use a neck role.

The SpineAlign pillow allows you to take out/adjust the amount of fill and has separate areas for back/side sleeping. However, it is ridiculously priced. I do not have it

On my side, pillow between legs AND a pillow to hug (to keep shoulders open). Also, I make sure not to compress my body (in fetal position).

Thanks, speaking of which I'm hitting the sack now, but I will ask you more about this another day

Also, when sleeping on your back, your spine rounds a bit since it sinks into the bed (the softer, the more it sinks). I occasionally put a towel/small blanket to prevent this and keep my shoulders open. This is hard to adjust though, and it takes time to get used to

Also, can wake up sore in your back, since it is not used to that sleeping position.

I'll leave you with this question before I go though. Do you think sleeping for 2-3-4 hours on my back without moving much could be an issue? I always fall asleep on a spike mat and I imagine I stay quite still on it of I don't wake up for several hours on the mat. If I moved I think the spikes would wake me up, and they inevitably do. I know the body moves around a lot normally when sleeping

Sounds good. Also, taking walks with a good walking posture is very helpful (to correcting posture) as well. I will explain this more another day. Make sure you swing your arms, and don't hold tension in your shoulders or neck. Walk relaxed, but upright in good posture (ears in line with shoulders). Arms should swing straight. The arm swinging is very important.

It shouldn't be an issue as your body will move if it needs to. Yes, moving around happens quite a bit while sleeping. It is the only reason I am considering that expensive SpineAlign pillow (or I might try to make something similar). If I sleep on my side (with higher pillow) and roll to my back, I get issues because of the positioning of my neck and back.

Sorry, I believe I misinterpreted your question on sleeping in the same position on the spiked mat. It might be an issue if you are stressing certain areas in a way that affects your neck/jaw--like incorrect acu-pressure. I have never slept on one, though

Do you think that fluctuating tinnitus increases the chance of my T being caused by some kind of neck injury/muscle problems?

Yes, for sure. You might have a bulging disc or something like that.

Mine does this. Have you looked into TMJ and nighttime teeth grinding, maybe a gumshield?

I agree with Agrajag364. I have TMJ/D and wear a nighttime guard. Also, some disk issues slowly develop over time (or muscular issue, too). Most people have pretty terrible posture, sitting or standing. I have been working on posture and doing neck exercises with "Treat your Own Neck" by Robin McKenzie.

https://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Own-Neck-803-5/dp/0987650416
-A link to the book

In the meantime, on YouTube, there are two Physical Therapists, Bob & Brad from Winona, Minnesota, USA that show McKenzie method exercises for Neck and Back pain. Here is a link to one of their neck videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cog4Dds__a0

Kai did it help? I have one cos I had a constant headache that also varied day by day and was told it was tmj. but i do not sleep well with tinnitus so cannot seem to sleep with it

Since my TMJ is due to a previous neck injury, the McKenzie neck exercises have helped me quite a bit so far (even if no neck injury, typically people are out of alignment, which can influence TMJ). I feel less tension getting to my jaw, as the exercises constantly remind you to get your posture correct. T has not improved yet, though.

Have you received exercises for your TMJ? Are you doing the tongue-up position when your mouth is "at rest"/not talking,etc.? Also, walking upright (ears over shoulders, shoulders over hips) with arms swinging straight, is very beneficial to your neck and back. The arm swing is very important as well. I do not sleep the best either, but recently been getting a 4-5 hour undisturbed portion/night.

I try to walk at least an hour each day. Going to be harder with the colder weather. If you need exercises for TMJ, I can share what I have been doing. If either of you (or anyone else) ever wants to skype or call, that is an option as well to discuss strategies in more detail.

As I have a disc issue (bulging C5 to spinal cord), I am not as aggressive with the McKenzie neck extension (looking up). I am planning to get an updated MRI to see what has changed since 5 years ago. If you do not have a disc issue, the exercises should be fine without adjustments. Also, you could look for a McKenzie method certified PT.

I went to see a physiotherapist who specialises in TMJ the other week. He gave me an exercise to do which was to open the mouth as widely as possible whilst still keeping the lips together. This was to promote correct opening and closing of the jaw

Thanks, I really appreciate you taking the time to write all your thoughts.

Yes, I hold constant tension in my jaw. Probably a symptom of anxiety and stress I had years back, and the stress of tinnitus. I don't know how long I had it. But I do know that I now grind my teeth like crazy in my sleep.

I have chronic neck pain and a very tense upper back/neck/face. Definetly something I'm working on regardless of my tinnitus. I also have really problematic joints in general, I am forced to live a pretty sedentary lifestyle because of it. Sitting way more than I ever have and more than I want

I just started doing jaw excercises again, and neck stuff. So far I have had very low tinnitus the two last days that I've been doing them before bed

Agrajag, I have a hard splint that cost me 500 dollars. I got it because my teeth are apparently ground down quite badly. I cannot chew very freely on my left side now

Not sure if it's called splint but that's the word that came to mind. A mouthguard thingy

Besides the splint, the "tongue-up / natural resting position of the tongue" is supposed to be the best for improving TMJ symptoms (according to U of Minnesota TMJ dept). Possibly you naturally do this with your tongue. The position is found by making a "CLUCK" sound with your tongue. The "cluck"position and top 1/3 of your tongue in contact with the roof of mouth, in the shape of a "soft N"

@Agrajag364 - Does your PT have you doing that exercise with your shoulders down and back, while in good posture/alignment?

I think he mentioned that, I’d have to look at the notes I made

I have been weaning off caffeine to reduce jaw tension. Also, cutting alcohol (mostly, it is hard, I like wine), to prevent grinding (even with mouthguard/splint) during the night. The guard/splint does help distribute the force, however I would like to minimize all by eliminating what causes grinding in the first place.

For me, if I watch something before bed that really gets my mind going before bed, I tend to grind more. I try to avoid electronics an hour before bed. If I read a relaxing/enjoyable book before bed, it helps ease me to sleep. Also, a warm shower helps me, and I have heard that similar warm baths have helped others grind less.

Agrajag364, the mouthguard/splint has alleviated some jaw tension in the morning. I am having it readjusted next week at the TMD clinic to give better alignment. My dentist made my original splint. The TMD clinic said, the more teeth in contact with the splint, the better. It makes sense, since it helps distribute the force.