TMJ 'dysfunction' - Health implications

Testimonial:
From January 2013 our daughter Caitlin, who was 14 at the time, started suffering from extreme tiredness and fainting episodes. These episodes became more frequent and as a result, she had various blood tests, ultrasounds, MRI Scans, echocardiograms, and an ECG monitor.

None of these gave us an answer and Caitlins symptoms were becoming more pronounced. By October 2014 she was missing large periods of school and sleeping for up to 18 hours, without feeling refreshed. Her complexion was grey and she had very little strength. She also would often feel extremely cold and clammy, particularly her hands and feet. She was susceptible to throat infections, often brought on by exercise, and this would leave her unable to function for weeks on end.

We were extremely concerned for Caitlin and by February 2015 she was given a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis.

Whilst we now had a diagnosis, the ‘treatment’ options were limited to managing the symptoms with strategies such as pacing and avoiding boom and bust activity.

Caitlin managed to take her GCSE’s despite missing many days of schooling, and in the summer, when she was able to rest, she seemed to improve. However, by October 2015, she was again suffering from fatigue and at this time I happened to read about some of the work Dr Amir was doing with patients who had been given a CFS diagnosis.

Because Caitlin had been fitted with a brace from age 11 and had continued to wear a retainer at night, we decided to complete the detailed questionnaire required by Dr Amir, and we went to see him at the start of November 2015.

Given the number of consultations Caitlin had already been through, she was a little unsure as to how her problems could be linked to her teeth and jaw alignment, but we felt if we did not try, we would only wish we had.

After examining Caitlin, Dr Amir was sure he could help Caitlin, and this was the first good news we had had in a long time. Caitlin has been seeing Dr Amir every 2-3 weeks since, and the work he has done has improved her health significantly. The results were not immediate but steady progress has been made, and Caitlin started attending all her lessons, which was a massive improvement.

More recently, she now can go to bed at 10 pm and gets up for school at 7.15 am, having had a refreshing sleep. This may not sound life-transforming, but having seen how hard it was for her to get up, we know she is back to her old self. Her complexion is also now back to how it was. We are delighted with the treatment provided, and we would recommend Dr Amir to any other family in a similar situation."

Chris Ellis - Director
Dip PFS, Certs CII, IMC
12th June 2016
Update:
On Sunday, 16 July 2017, 19:01, C. Ellis <cellis_uk@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

"Regarding our daughter, Caitlin, at no point during the countless consultations and tests performed by the NHS was there any mention of the possibility that her problems could stem from previous dental work.

Had this been mentioned at an earlier stage, we could have saved ourselves and Caitlin at least 1 year of suffering the debilitating symptoms, and the NHS considerable money and resource.
The results being achieved by Dr Amir surely deserve some attention from the wider medical world as Caitlin's symptoms, as with countless others could be treated more widely, with more success and cost-effectively."

Chris Ellis

22nd February 2020
Here is the latest feedback from Caitlin:
"Hi Dr Amir,

I have completed the questionnaire for you.

I’ve been doing really well, I’m studying Urban Planning at Newcastle University. I’ve been able to do everything that I’ve wanted to.

I’m forever grateful for all that you’ve done for me.

With kind regards,
Caitlin"
Update: And here is a graph of her progress - 100% recovery. Please click on the graph to enlarge it.

Graph of ME/CFS Progress

Comment: Over the last 25 or so years, I have seen very many patients suffering from the mythical "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis" who have been on the medical merry-go-round for years. The patients have never benefited from any medical intervention in any shape or form whatsoever.

NHS Choices website describes CFS as:

"Exactly what causes chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is unknown, but there are several theories. Some experts think a viral infection such as glandular fever can trigger the condition. Certain bacteria have also been suggested as a cause of CFS in some people, including types of bacteria responsible for pneumonia."

Identifying a handful of symptoms, categorising them under a single label, and declaring them a disease or syndrome is a common practice. The subsequent move is to pretend ignorance about the origins of this condition. This strategy fuels a highly lucrative industry, enabling the medical-industrial complex to thrive by subjecting patients to numerous costly scans and tests. Typically, the results reveal nothing unusual, leading to the recommendation of repeating the tests and consultations in another six months.

Meanwhile, take this medication!

Envision a situation where patients are burdened with the full expense of consultations, tests, and scans. Annually, the financial strain on each individual could amount to several thousand pounds without any promise of a cure. This financial hardship is likely a contributing factor to the bankruptcy of numerous families across the Atlantic due to medical conditions.

Interestingly, I recently learned about a patient who had been wearing braces for an extended period. In rare instances, this prolonged use can lead to cervical instability, a severe and concerning outcome.

The patient has, however, been diagnosed with Ehler's Danloss Syndrome, (the keyword is 'syndrome'). Despite the airy-fairy diagnosis, this particular patient is incurring an annual cost of half a million pounds to the healthcare system—an expense borne by taxpayers like you and me. There are countless others similarly affected, straining the NHS and elsewhere, pushing families into financial ruin across the globe.

Nearly every hospital boasts a dedicated CFS speciality department. Intriguingly, the term 'Syndrome' essentially signifies that medical professionals have little understanding of the condition. Nonetheless, numerous experts serve as consultants for this enigmatic 'syndrome' despite their limited knowledge!

A recent report in the Positive Health Magazine says:

"A Press Release received two days ago (12 Sept 2016) announced data of the PACE study on myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome, re-posted to the Letters to the Editor, Issue 233:

“The new analysis of the PACE trial appears to confirm the consensus view that CBT and graded exercise therapy were associated with a mild placebo effect.” and “The release of data from Queen Mary University of London’s PACE study into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis proves that graded exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy were never effective treatments for those suffering from ME."

"just 21% of patients found improvement with graded exercise, as compared to the 61% they originally reported in The Lancet.

Critics think that when the data is independently analysed, it will show that exercise has no positive benefit at all. Graded exercise is a commonly prescribed treatment for ME/CFS, but many patients and researchers believe it can make symptoms worse, sometimes permanently."

It was also disclosed that Queen Mary University had spent exceeding £200,000 on legal fees to challenge a tribunal's decision aimed at withholding the release of certain data. This serves as yet another testament to the pervasive medical corruption that endangers patients, while the General Medical Council remained inactive.

Briefly, I have never found any patient who presented with 'CFS' to actually have 'CFS'. It is nearly always jaw symmetry problems, and the patients rapidly start recovering from THEIR SYMPTOMS once proper treatment is instituted.

Specialists dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) should promptly refer patients to a dental expert for a differential diagnosis before attributing their symptoms to this contentious condition. It is crucial to avoid prematurely informing patients that "there is no cure for ME/CFS, but medication can alleviate some symptoms and enhance your quality of life" without thorough evaluation.

Since 2003, I, along with numerous patients, have been notifying various ME associations about the significant role dentistry has played in their recovery. It is almost criminal for the medical profession to monopolise patient care without considering jaw dysfunction in their differential diagnoses. Ignoring the need for evaluation by a dental specialist constitutes severe medical negligence and could potentially lead to legal consequences.

Their egotistical actions, whether through deliberate intent or sheer folly, serve only to drain the resources of the NHS and social services, while leaving patients to endure relentless pain, suffering, and shattered dreams without reprieve.

Across the nation, countless patients find themselves ensnared in a perpetual state of medical futility, filling our hospitals with ceaseless, unproductive activity. Picture the impact on waiting lists and overwhelmed doctor’s offices, struggling to accommodate new appointments, if these fictitious syndromes were no longer a focus of treatment.

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Challenging the existing standards in dental and medical care comes with significant costs. Through my website and this forum, I have highlighted practices that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, contribute to ongoing illness. This disruption is not welcomed by the authorities overseeing our healthcare system. To continue publishing evidence-based articles, sharing discoveries from my own patients' experiences that have led to their recoveries through a unique approach, and educating thousands of health professionals and patients globally, we require some support. If this article has substantially enhanced your understanding, please consider making a donation through this link: PLEASE CLICK TO DONATE

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