Thanks for the reply Tammy, I went to my chiropractor yesterday (I'm not sure what his specialization is, seems to be a combination of several methods) and asked him what he thought might aleve the pain. Apparently I crack my neck a lot, he suggested I not do so, instead when I have the urge to crack it I should do some neck stretches, that is supposed to relieve tension in my neck and sternocleidomastoid rather than adding to it. I'll see how that works as the weeks go by.
Still going to the tmj specialist on monday (3/1/2010), like I said though, if I can find something that fixes the problem and not just the sympton I will definitely pursue.
I've been using a nucca chiropactor for the last couple of months and seems a bit better. They focus on a specific technique for realigning the first vertebrate in your neck (C1) with gentle pressure.
I have only had one flare-up and from starting the treatments to that flare-up it was really helping (muscles looser and less tension all the way down my body). However, I also have started my ortho work (which will include jaw surgery in the future to fix my bite) at the same time so all the improvements were without being able to wear my night guard since november.
I scheduled an appointment with one for next monday. As long as they don't prescribe surgery I'll follow direction, I've heard nothing but bad things about tmj surgery though.
Thanks for the input
Seeing a tmj specialist is advised.