Hi all --
I've been on a quest to fix my posture, breathing and fatigue symptoms for years now.
Late 20s.
I am chronically fatigued (and use adderall to compensate), despite sleeping enough and mouth taping (used to mouth breath/drool at night).
I have a forward head posture (that seems at least partially due to the tightness of all of my secondary breathing muscles: SCM, scalenes, pec minor, traps).
I have an (improving) anterior pelvic tilt with associated back pain.
I have been looking into jaw surgery as a possible root cause for why it has been so difficult for me to fix these issues, and why even as a young kid I was always tired.
Other symptoms: Cold hands/feet, long face, very noticeable adam's apple, narrow nose that tends to get stuffy especially if I sleep on my left side or if I am face down (such as during a massage), tight calves, high arched feet, chronic overactive upper traps. Anxiety (I think it's in part due to feeling like I can't easily breathe).
Additionally, I get easily out of breath (despite being in excellent physical shape 190lbs/6'2", lean, work out 3-5 times a week). I regularly either yawn or take automatic big inhales throughout the day.
My MaxFac surgeon said from my ceph my airway looks to be ~5mm diameter which he thinks is small for someone of my size and that I have both recessed maxilla and mandible. He recommended MMA but only after a positive sleep study (TBD). My ortho says my jaws are slightly narrow. I personally find my tongue to not fit inside my teeth, it does not fit in the roof of my mouth without overlapping my molars, and in resting position is folded up against my front teeth.
Ceph:
https://imgur.com/a/njvoaqFI have already done a lot of the things that are suggested to address these issues:
- Foam Rolling / lacrosse ball /etc.
- Stretching
- Diaphragmatic breathing exercises
- YTWLs / Wall angels (These are all too hard for me to do for more than a few reps / short holds, despite being very strong otherwise)
- Core exercises (anti-rotation, anti-extension and hip extension)
I also regularly try to remind myself to tuck my chin throughout the day, and every time I do it I feel a clicking (non-painful) of the muscles in my throat/front neck. Trying to swallow when in a chin tucked/neutral position is very uncomfortable. I basically have to have a forward head posture to swallow comfortably.
I am very hesitant to go through with the MMA because:
- Significant risks
- I'm not unhappy with my aesthetics, even if my long face and small jaws could be improved
- Not sure if it would fix my two biggest problems: Posture and Fatigue/Breathing
Anyone had similar problems / considerations? Anyone been able to solve these problems? Does the surgery make solving these problems easier?