Posted by StarCat on September 11, 2008 at 12:04:58:In Reply to: Re: Chronic tongue pain posted by Joepie on August 26, 2008 at 12:47:27:
Joepie, this gives me clues I needed to help identify a possible problem. There is a muscle in that area called the genioglossus. If it is afflicted by myofascial trigger points (MTPs), it will pull the tongue back in the way you describe. Sleep apnea can be affected by tightened muscles. The muscle is very tight because it has been jkep in a sortened position all night. (The same can happen to the plantar fascia.) The study I note below used submaxillary electrical stimulation to release this, but the loss of voice or hoarseness indicates that other MTPs are involved. Try warm compresses of your throat area before sleep, followed by gentle finger massage of the area. If you find ouch points that refer pain, or even cause pain locally, you have found some of the MTPs. Check for possible perpetuating factors such as post-nasal drip, and do what you can to control them in a healthy manner. Please let me know if this helps. Star Cat
Yang H, Meng XG, Zhu YZ et al. 2000. [Clinical study of effects of submaxillary transcutaneous electrical stimulation of genioglossus on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome] Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi 14(6):250-252. [Chinese]