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Posted on 1/30/2016 by Dr. Michael Allard |
 We all need to get a certain amount of sleep each night in order to be on our game and to maintain optimal health. However, new research has even suggested that the amount of sleep we get can contribute to chronic pain.A study was recently published in SLEEP, a scientific journal, and it included a study involving 18 pain-free and health individuals. This group was split into two groups: normal sleepers and extended sleepers. The extended sleepers slept for nearly two hours longer than the normal sleepers. The following day, researchers put each participant through a study in which their fingers were placed on a radiant heat source. The extended sleepers were able to hold the contact 25% longer than the normal sleeping group. Researchers also showed that the pain tolerance was even better than taking 60 mg of the pain reliever codeine. Unfortunately, when it comes to TMD, the results of this study might be frustrating. People who suffer from TMD, including headaches and jaw pain, often have a difficult time sleeping to begin with, so sleeping for an extra two hours might not be an option. Additionally, real life can get in the way, so things like family obligations, job demands, and overall busy schedules can also prevent sleeping the added time needed to achieve the pain relief benefits. If you are suffering from TMD pain, it is important to note that help is out there, and options are available that don't just involve sleeping more. The first thing that you should do is contact our office, as we can help you to determine the cause of your problem. If a major intervention or treatment method is required in order to correct your TMD issue, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon for follow-up. |
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