​We all need sleep for our tissues to heal and Australian scientists and pain specialists Lorimer & Moseley suggest that sleeplessness may contribute to ill health and increased sensitivity of tissues and that with not enough sleep there is not enough repair.
Matthew Walker’s book Why We Sleep is a fascinating read. A professor of psychology and neuroscience who has been researching the role of sleep in health and disease at University of California for many years. Evidence suggests that sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease and evidence is now pointing to an increase risk of diabetes and alzheimer’s.
It is during our REM (rapid eye movement) sleep time, the deep sleep when we dream and when our brain is devoid of stress and anxiety, that our energy consumption is lowered therefore more energy can be used to restore our tissues. Also, during sleep, more blood flow is redirected from the brain to our muscles and other tissues for restoration and repair.
If your pain is keeping you awake at night it is important to at least switch off your excitable, sympathetic nervous system for a period during the day, as this will reduce adrenaline levels, our stress, flight or fight hormone and allow your parasympathetic nervous system to flow. The parasympathetic part of our nervous system is concerned with conserving energy, aiding digestion and replenishment of our cells. So a good way to help turn that adrenaline switch off and allow tissue healing is to start taking short breaks each day for mindfulness meditation, relaxation or even yoga.
As osteopaths we want our patients to get the most out of their treatments, having enough quality sleep and periods of relaxation built into your day are key ingredients on your journey back to living a pain free and healthy life.
Most research suggests that we need 8 hours of sleep a night to recuperate and heal…..do you get 8 hours sleep?
“The shorter your sleep the shorter your life.” (Matthew Walker).
 
If you would like to book a treatment for those sore joints and muscles, please contact  admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au
Mobile: 0419 910 237
 
Witten by: Dr Sharon Banks

​ OSTEOPATHY APPROACH FOR JAW PAIN - TMJ
During your lunch or when you yawn, you feel a discomfort on your jaw, when you open or close your mouth ? But after few days is still here and it worse ? 
It might be Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome.

Symptoms
·     Pain and tenderness on palpation in the muscles of mastication
·     Pain and tenderness on palpation of the joint itself
·     Limited range of mandibular movement
·     Clicking and popping when you open/close your mouth
·     Pain when yawning, chewing or biting
·      
Associated symptoms
Migraines
Tinnitus
Dizziness
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
 
Different causes


Muscle Spam It results in discomfort in the fascia (connective tissue covering the muscles) and muscles that control jaw, neck and shoulder function.
 
A dislocated jaw or injury to the condyle.

Degenerative Joint Disease- This includes osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint.

Psychological stress - Emotional factors (e.g., anxiety, fear, frustration, and anger) play a significant role in the ethology of TMJ disorders, in that they elicit muscular tension and oral habits.

Motor vehicle accident - A sequential extension-flexion of the neck accompanied by simultaneous jaw movement resulting in shear stress and compressive forces to the retrodiskal tissues.

Ears Nose Throat The TMJ located in front of each ear holds your lower jawbone (mandible) in place.
 
How Osteopathy can help you ?
An Osteopathic approach includes the evaluation and potentially, treatment of the whole body. During the session the practitioner will focus on finding areas of your head, neck, back and shoulders that affects your jaw.
 
Osteopaths has few tissues gentle techniques to release soft, including the muscles, ligaments and fascia around your jaw. We never use adjustment to crack a jaw, just because it’s not necessarily useful.
 
If you want to know more information or tp book in for a treatment, you can contact our receptionist Grace at Wigney Osteopathy Clinic via email admin@wigneyosteopathy.com.au or Mobile 0419 910 237
 
Reference: Reported concepts for the treatment modalities and pain management of TMJ temporomandibular disorders
Manual therapy improved signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. 
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical healthcare professional.
 
Written by Dr Sharon Banks