In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Pamela and Mac explore the connection between menopause, TMD/TMJ pain, and sleep apnea and why symptoms in women can sometimes be overlooked or attributed to stress, hormones, or simply “getting older.”

They discuss why women, particularly during the menopausal years, may experience changes in sleep, jaw pain, headaches, clenching, and other symptoms that deserve a closer look.

They also talk about:

• The connection between TMD and sleep apnea

• Why sleep apnea isn't just a problem for overweight men

• How hormonal changes may intersect with sleep and pain

• Why women with headaches, jaw pain, or poor sleep may need more than a stress-related explanation

• The role of sleep studies, CT/CBCT imaging, and EMG testing

• Why looking at both the TMJ and airway can be important

• Differences in how men and women tend to seek care and advocate for their health

• Why comprehensive evaluation matters before assuming you know the cause of someone's symptoms

If you're a woman experiencing poor sleep, jaw pain, headaches, clenching, or changes around menopause, this conversation may give you some important questions to bring to your healthcare providers.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video:

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban sits down with internationally recognized breathing expert Patrick McKeown, author of

Patrick explains why nasal breathing matters, how mouth breathing can affect sleep and craniofacial development, and why CO₂ is essential for getting oxygen to your tissues. They also discuss the connection between dysfunctional breathing, sleep apnea, anxiety, airway health, and dental problems.

You’ll learn:

• Why chronic mouth breathing can impact the teeth, jaw, airway, and sleep

• The surprising role of CO₂ in oxygen delivery

• Why “more breathing” doesn't necessarily mean more oxygen

• How nasal breathing can help regulate the nervous system

• The connection between breathing patterns and sleep apnea

• Why children are especially important to intervene with early

• How breathing re-education can complement dental and airway treatment

• Patrick’s approach to mouth taping and the development of Myotape

This conversation brings together breathing science, dentistry, sleep, and craniofacial development to answer one important question:

Are we overlooking breathing as a critical part of health?

🎙️ Watch the full episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion on Youtube.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/AvMYBBIgwIg?is=hDCfkG9aCFRvpZC9

In this episode, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Mac break down some of the most common misconceptions about TMJ and TMD and explain why many patients go years without getting the right diagnosis.

They discuss why clicking and popping can be signs of dysfunction, why a night guard may protect your teeth without addressing the underlying problem, and why stress may be making symptoms worse without necessarily being the root cause.

They also talk about the many ways TMD can show up outside of the jaw, including headaches, migraines, dizziness, neck pain, and other symptoms that can send patients from doctor to doctor searching for answers.

The conversation goes deeper into what a properly functioning jaw should look like, how bite and muscle coordination can affect the joint, and why diagnosing TMD requires specialized knowledge and a thorough understanding of how the jaw functions.

If you've been told your TMJ symptoms are “just stress,” that clicking is “normal,” or that a night guard is all you need, this episode may change the way you look at your symptoms.

Dr. Marzban and Mac also discuss how to find clinicians with specialized training in TMD and preview their upcoming conversation about the connection between airway and TMJ.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/uk7l5FtQdZc?is=xyeQ0vAPPbSTk34S

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee explore one of the biggest mysteries in chronic pain: why some people with significant TMJ dysfunction have little or no discomfort, while others struggle with daily pain.

They discuss how pain is influenced by much more than the jaw itself, including the brain, nervous system, hormones, and individual pain sensitivity. You'll also learn why women are more likely to experience worsening TMJ symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, and why personalized treatment is essential because no two patients experience pain the same way.

Whether you've been living with TMJ pain or you're simply curious about how the body processes pain, this episode offers insights into the many factors that influence what we feel and why.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/_uzJEZBf_Hg?is=YyYW-FMpja8WM8Qh

In this episode of Open Up: A TMJ Discussion, Dr. Pamela Marzban and Dr. Mac Lee explore the often-overlooked relationship between fibromyalgia and temporomandibular disorders (TMD/TMJ). They discuss why fibromyalgia is frequently considered a diagnosis of exclusion, how it shares symptoms with TMD, and why dysfunction in the jaw may contribute to pain throughout the body.

The conversation also examines why women are disproportionately affected by both conditions, particularly during hormonal changes, and why collaboration between medical and dental professionals is essential for patients with chronic pain.

Most importantly, they emphasize that while treating TMD may improve symptoms for some patients, it is not a replacement for medical evaluation or treatment for fibromyalgia. Instead, understanding the connection may help patients ask better questions and pursue more comprehensive care.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• ​Why fibromyalgia is often called a diagnosis of exclusion
• ​The surprising overlap between fibromyalgia and TMJ/TMD symptoms
• ​How jaw dysfunction may influence pain beyond the face
• ​Why some people experience severe pain while others with similar issues do not
• ​The importance of addressing the root cause rather than just treating symptom

Open Up: A TMJ Discussion explores the science behind TMJ disorders, airway health, and whole-body wellness through conversations designed to educate patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Book and Podcast Info:📚 Books by Dr. Mac Lee and Dr. Pam Marzban:

Life-Robbing Pain: TMD by Dr. Mac Lee

The TMJ Trifecta: Solving Your Pain Puzzle by Dr. Mac Lee

Craniofacial Development by Dr. Pamela Marzban.

🎧 Podcast Video: https://youtu.be/Uc3sfssBw6A?is=zsVSmrsRHAh-u5yp