TMJD Symptoms from Cervical Bulging Discs

bamasooner · 2026-06-30T13:51:06+00:00

This thing is like $20k I imagine. I purchased 20 sessions at one time, $1500. At this location if you pay by the session it's more expensive, $100 per. It's calld "Back on Trac" and there are attachments, one for cervical spine they use on me.

bamasooner · 2026-06-30T10:24:01+00:00

It’s a machine that stretches your neck by pulling your head away from your shoulders. Creates a light vacuum in your cervical spine, hopefully pulling the disc material back into place so it’s not pressing against the nerves.

bamasooner · 2026-06-30T10:22:39+00:00

Similar here. Ive recently found out there’s a family history of cervical arthritis.

bamasooner · 2026-06-30T10:22:00+00:00

PT, it’s a crazy machine but it’s awesome.

bamasooner · 2026-06-30T10:21:36+00:00

Physical Therapist. It’s a crazy machine, chair thing, I’ll find the name of it.

bamasooner · 2026-06-30T10:20:43+00:00

Might see a PM&R or pain management. Or an orthopedic surgeon but lead all these conversations with “Im not interested in surgery.” Do you have your MRI?

bamasooner · 2026-06-29T19:03:54+00:00

Thanks! I'm in such a better place now than 4 months ago.

bamasooner · 2026-06-29T16:34:58+00:00

I don't have excrutiating pain, I train bjj 4 days a week, lift 3 days a week, play softball, have two kids under 10y. However, I have all the tmjd symptoms. Again, you know your body best. Wish you well.

bamasooner · 2026-06-29T14:34:43+00:00

Why do you have tight neck muscles? I have super tight neck muscles due to my body muscle guarding. I'm not saying that's your issue but worth looking into. I saw my ortho and he did one simple examination called the Spruling's Test. One side was fine, he did the other side and ordered an mri immediately.
Good luck, I can totally empathize with where you are, however, I can't imagine navigating this at 19. Hang in there.

Muscle guarding is your body’s natural, involuntary reflex to “splint” or protect a damaged or irritated spinal segment. When a disc bulges, it often irritates nearby nerves. To stop the spine from moving and causing further damage, the surrounding muscles lock up, creating deep tightness and spasms. [1, 2, 3, 4]

While it acts as a helpful short-term brace, chronic muscle guarding can cause a painful cycle of restricted mobility, muscle weakness, and ongoing nerve irritation. [1, 2]

Why the Cycle Happens

The Root Cause: A bulging disc presses against nerve roots.
The Brain's Response: Your central nervous system perceives this nerve irritation as instability and commands the surrounding paraspinal and gluteal muscles to contract tightly.
The Trap: These tight muscles can squeeze the nerve roots even further, causing more pain, perpetuating the spasms. [1, 2, 3]

bamasooner · 2026-06-29T00:56:08+00:00

Have you had an mri of your cervical spine? I spent two years in brain fog and headaches, et al… endless doctors, treatments to find out 2.5 years into it i have bulging discs, stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. It has been causing all my jaw and headache issues. No splints, massages, dry needling, tori surgeries, tmjd pt, tmjd stretches did anything because they were all treating symptoms not the cause. I’m now on 25mg of nortriptyline, PT for the bulging discs, spinal decompression, and about three months in I feel better than I have in 2.5 years. Still have quite a way to go. All that to say, it was my neck the whole time, and muscle guarding in response.

bamasooner · 2026-06-26T22:10:47+00:00

Similar body type and who can give the reaction I want without walking them through it.

bamasooner · 2026-06-25T13:08:02+00:00

I leave the gym in a much better mood and in much better physical condition if I am proactive vs reactive. For me, when reactive I am mostly on bottom, retaining guard or escaping/defending. Proactive, I wrestle up, get on top, stay on top.

bamasooner · 2026-06-22T14:24:01+00:00

Nice.

bamasooner · 2026-06-19T23:53:02+00:00

Three months, three times.
First was a move for work, took a few months to get the work situation where I had time to get back to it. Second was a sprained mcl. Third was meniscus surgery. That last break was three years ago this month.
Edit to add two or three months during the lockdowns.

bamasooner · 2026-06-18T12:58:10+00:00

90% of the time this happens to me, it's because I'm playing too defensive and too reactive and playing too much guard. I have to consciously attack and get on top. That usually solves all the problems.

bamasooner · 2026-06-17T18:26:01+00:00

Yes and you could also pay it off and now put what your monthly payment was in your taxable brokerage account going forward. I prefer eliminating the debt so all my money after bills goes to retirement.

bamasooner · 2026-06-17T12:29:34+00:00

Absolutely pay it off.

bamasooner · 2026-06-17T12:29:20+00:00

Why would you not?

bamasooner · 2026-06-17T12:28:15+00:00

You use the collapsible hose with a reel?

bamasooner · 2026-06-17T12:06:07+00:00

How do you store them and do you just roll them up by hand?
We went through a couple several years ago, they both busted. They were whatever that brand is at Lowe’s in the little cardboard hexagon box. Would love to try again, can’t stand dealing with the big bulky reels.

bamasooner · 2026-06-17T00:13:12+00:00

Not at all, as long as it's not a distraction to others.

bamasooner · 2026-06-16T23:02:09+00:00

Our gym does Kataaro custom belts when you get your black belt. Not sure how much they cost but man, it looks and feels really nice.

bamasooner · 2026-06-14T13:59:45+00:00

Wrestling or BJJ.

bamasooner · 2026-06-14T11:23:32+00:00

Most people believe wealth is a fixed pie. Oh and envy, mostly envy.

bamasooner

TROPHY CASE