We have selected the following sites so that you may have access to other quality on-line information resources. These links provide excellent opportunities to further investigate issues of particular interest to TMJ patients and their families. Although we are unable to list every organization, we would like to acknowledge all of those who have helped change the face of TMJ.

Books:

The Pain Chronicles: Cures, Myths, Mysteries, Prayers, Diaries, Brain Scans, Healing, and the Science of Suffering by Melanie Thernstrom http://www.amazon.com/Pain-Chronicles-Mysteries-Prayers-Suffering/dp/0865476810

Me and My Pain: The Challenges of Being in Chronic Pain by Abbey Strauss, MSW, MD http://www.amazon.com/Me-My-Pain-Challenges-Chronic/dp/1439238634/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284579696&sr=1-7

In the Face of Pain: Resource Guide for People with Pain. This booklet can be downloaded or you can request a free copy.

Websites:

Craniofacial Problems:

These sites address disorders affecting the structure and function of the head and face.

• Cleft Palate Foundation
• Let’s Face It

Medical Conditions Associated with TMJ Disorders:

• American Tinnitus Association
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America
• Arthritis Foundation
• The Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America
• Endometriosis Association
  
• The Hyperacusis Network - Hyperacusis is a decreased tolerance for sound that some TMJ patients experience.
• International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Interstitial Cystitis Association
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association
• Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome
• National Fibromyalgia Association
• National Fibromyalgia Partnership, Inc.
• National Headache Foundation
• National Vulvodynia Association
• Overlapping Conditions Alliance
• Society for Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

Medical Devices:

• MedWatch The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. MedWatch facilitates the documentation and early identification of product problems. If you are having any kind of problems with a device or other medical product, you or your doctor are encouraged to complete the MedWatch form. The form can be completed online, or printed and mailed/faxed.

National Institutes of Health:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is responsible for, among other functions, allocating grant funding dedicated to biomedical research. The NIH is also central to many health reporting systems.

• Converging Pathways of Pain Research at NIDCR
• Office of Research on Women’s Health
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
• NIAMS - Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia
• NIAMS - Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis
• National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
• National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research - Patients who browse this site for data on TMJ diseases should consider informing the agency of their health care concerns and the pressing need for more quality research directed toward TMJ problems.
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse

Pain:

These sites provide information that may benefit patients who suffer from both chronic and acute pain.

• American Chronic Pain Association
• American Pain Foundation - Provides statement of your rights for pain care "Pain Care Bill of Rights". APF also has a database on its Web site with searchable lists of pain specialists and clinics.
• American Pain Society
• Campaign to End Chronic Pain in Women
• Chronic Babe
• Mayday Upper Peninsula Pain Project
  
• Pain.com - has a searchable list of pain specialists and pain clinics all over the globe.
• Pain Connection
• PainEdu.org - PainEDU is a research-based resource for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and psychologists. It offers a free case-based continuing education course on the clinical management of pain from a variety of perspectives, along with a free (via download or mail) companion pain management manual. Additional features include clinical tools, updated news and interviews, and distribution of a weekly professional newsletter.
• U.S. Pain Foundation

Women's Health:

• Healthy Women
• National Center for Policy Research for Women & Families
• National Women's Health Network
• Society for Women’s Health Research

Other Informational Sites:

• The Cochrane Collaboration - is an international not for profit and independent organization, dedicated to making up-to-date, accurate information about the effects of healthcare interventions readily available worldwide
• Consumers United For Evidence-Based Healthcare (CUE) - The TMJ Association is a member organization of CUE, a pioneering effort started in 2003, which unites consumer advocates with a common interest in integrating understanding and interpretation of evidence-based healthcare (EBHC) into their advocacy activities. CUE member-organizations work in partnership with the US Cochrane Center and other scientists to communicate the language of EBHC, strengthen the voice of consumers, and provide leadership in healthcare research.
• Co-Pay Relief
• Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation
• Families for Depression Awareness - Helps families recognize and cope with depressive disorders. From the web site, order free brochures, read Family Profiles, access resources, and sign up for free email alerts.
• FDA Drug-safety - FDA Web site alerting public to drug-safety concerns.
• Help With Prescription Costs - You can get many medications free from drug companies under their "indigent patient" programs. For a list of companies that offer these programs, contact: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, 1100 15th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005; 1-800-PMA-INFO; http://www.helpingpatients.org/
• Invisible Disabilities Association
• Lab Tests Online - Provides detailed descriptions of a broad range of tests and offers in-depth articles.
• Lyme Disease Association, Inc.
• Lymphatic Research Foundation, Inc.
• Mercy Medical Airlift for National Patient Travel Center - A charitable long-distance medical air transportation service. Helpline 1-800-296-1217.
• National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses - Provides lodging assistance for persons receiving medical treatment away from home. Helpline 1-800-542-9730.
• National Family Caregivers Association
• National Organization for Rare Disorders
• National Sleep Foundation
• Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition - An informal coalition of individuals and nonprofit organizations representing the interests of patients, consumers, health-care professionals, scientists, and public health experts and advocates.
• Procter and Gamble's Global Dental Resource - TMJ information written in 17 languages.
• Patient Advocate Foundation
• Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation
• Scleroderma Foundation
• Social Security Disability Resource
• Trigeminal Neuralgia Association - Some TMJ patients also suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, and some trigeminal neuralgia patients have been misdiagnosed with TMJ or other craniofacial problems.
• United States Bone & Joint Initiative- U.S. National Action Network of the worldwide Bone and Joint Decade which is comprised of similar networks in more than 60 countries.