Deck 36, No. 49: AI Helped Me Find a Simple, Low-Risk Fix for Jaw Pain

~How AI Helped Surface a Trusted, Overlooked Treatment for Chronic Jaw Pain~

By: James O'Flanagan, MS, FRSA

📝 Author’s Note

Eighteen years of jaw pain, neck tension, and muscle spasms—all from grinding my teeth. Eighteen years of seeking help through doctor visits, physical therapy, stretching, and massage.

And yet, in all that time, not a single person ever suggested the simple, low-risk solution that finally worked for me.

This article isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about how AI is reshaping problem-solving by helping us connect the dots in ways that traditional methods often miss. It’s also about how self-treatment can be approached intelligently—with risk assessment, caution, and informed decision-making.

Thanks for reading, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever used AI to solve a problem that no expert could? Drop a comment and let’s compare notes!

- Jim

🔥🚀💡

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Author's Note No. 2

While I was writing this article, OpenAI released a killer app version of their image generator. Some of the AI art in this piece—especially the section headers—was created using it. You can check out the official announcement here: Introducing 4o Image Generation. Side note: It is totally #Awesome!

Link Reference: https://openai.com/index/introducing-4o-image-generation/

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Article Summary

• 📝 Author’s Note – After 18 years of chronic jaw pain, I discovered a simple, low-risk solution—thanks to AI—and this article shares how and why it worked.

• 🎤 Introduction: When the Experts Can’t Help – Despite consulting trusted professionals, none of the conventional treatments brought lasting relief from my bruxism-related symptoms.

• 🧘♂️ A Note on Qualifications: I’m Not a Doctor, But I Know My Body – While I’m not medically trained, my background in engineering and biomechanics helped me evaluate treatment options with precision and care.

• 🤖 How AI Led Me to a Solution – AI helped surface a biomechanical technique I had never heard of—one that brought almost immediate relief.

• ⚖️ Risk Analysis Before Self-Treatment – I followed a deliberate, structured approach to ensure the treatment was safe, rational, and well-supported by research.

• 🧠 Why AI Made a Difference – AI didn’t diagnose me, but it connected disparate insights, filling in the gaps that years of traditional care had missed.

• 🩺 Medical Insights: The Masseter Release Technique – The internal masseter release technique is widely used by professionals but rarely discussed—AI helped me uncover it.

• ⚡ AI and Problem-Solving: The Bigger Picture – Beyond healthcare, AI is quietly transforming how we surface overlooked solutions in all areas of life.

• 🧬 Previous Biotech & Biomechanical Content from Oapsie Inc. 🤖 – We've explored human systems through AI, FEA, and patent-backed research—this piece builds on that foundation.

• 🤖 Previous AI Coverage from Oapsie Inc. 🧠 – We've explored AI in design, ethics, and health; this builds on that foundation with a personal twist.

• 🚧 Errata: Random Notes & Side Thoughts – A few extra reflections on TMJ, AI, and the importance of asking better questions.

• 🎯 Conclusion: The Power of AI in Everyday Life – Used wisely, AI can help individuals solve problems that even specialists may miss.

• 💭 Final Thought: The Future of AI & Personal Health – As AI advances, we’re likely to see a major shift in how people manage their health—starting with solutions like this one.

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Article Playlist

• KISS, "Calling Dr. Love" (1976)

• Black Sabbath, "Rock 'n' Roll Doctor [Live]" (1983)

• Dio, "Dr. Rock and Roll" (1990)

• Robert Palmer, "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" [Live on Letterman] (1980)

• Thompson Twins, "Doctor! Doctor!" [Live] (2018)

• Weird Al Yankovic, "Like a Surgeon" (1985) 🩺🎶

🎤 Introduction: When the Experts Can’t Help

I’ve worked with some incredibly skilled professionals over the years—people I trust and genuinely respect. Both in my personal life, and my professional life. But despite their best efforts, the pain in my jaw, neck, and upper back persisted. For years, it felt like I was circling the problem without ever finding a way through.

For nearly two decades, I dealt with:

🔹 Chronic jaw pain 🦷

🔹 Persistent neck tightness 💆♂️

🔹 Random muscle spasms ⚡

All symptoms of bruxism—grinding my teeth, mostly in my sleep.

• I tried:

✅ Doctors 🏥 – No major structural issues, just “try stress management.”

✅ Physical therapy 💪 – Helped with posture but didn’t fix the pain.

✅ Massage & stretching 🤲 – Temporary relief at best.

✅ Custom night guards 🛌 – Helped protect my teeth but didn’t stop the pain.

Nothing worked long-term. Until I asked AI.

Music by: KISS, "Calling Dr. Love" (1976)

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wLLhRCTl3R8

My Qualifications: I’m Not a Doctor, But I Know My Body ♂️

As I’ve shared before, I’m a survivor of complex PTSD. One lesser-known symptom of PTSD is bruxism—chronic teeth grinding, often during sleep. For nearly twenty years, this contributed to persistent jaw pain, neck tension, and muscle spasms.

Let me be clear: I’m not a doctor. I have no formal medical training and hold no medical license.

I am an engineer, one who has spent a significant portion of my career studying and applying human biomechanics. I hold degrees in computer and mechanical engineering, and I’m currently pursuing a master’s in education. Additionally, I have patent applications in ocular biomechanics and baseball performance analytics, both fields requiring a deep understanding of muscle forces, tissue stress, and motion mechanics.

• A link to ASME India (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers)'s definition of Bioengineering and details on the division dedicated to it:

Link Reference: https://www.asme.org/get-involved/groups-sections-and-technical-divisions/technical-divisions/technical-divisions-community-pages/bioengineering-division

My background also includes personal experience. I’ve undergone two back surgeries, received radiofrequency ablation, and continue to manage the effects of an athletic injury from my college football days at John Carroll. I’ve carried extra weight for many years, which adds complexity to how I move and recover. Through it all, I’ve been a dedicated yoga practitioner, focusing on healing, mobility, and somatic awareness, which has helped me understand my body’s mechanics.

So, while I don’t treat or diagnose, I do have the tools to evaluate risk and assess biomechanical plausibility.

When I explore a treatment—whether it’s from a therapist, a journal, or surfaced by AI—I ask:

🔸 Is it biomechanically sound?

🔸 What structures are involved?

🔸 Is there a risk of injury or contraindication?

That’s where AI came in. It didn’t diagnose me or tell me what to do. Instead, it aggregated and synthesized insights, surfacing a technique I could evaluate on my own terms. Based on my engineering experience and body awareness, I determined the approach was mechanically appropriate, low-risk, and worth testing.

No—I’m not a doctor. But when it comes to understanding how my body works under stress, I bring a perspective grounded in lived experience and technical rigor. And in this case, it helped.

For a detailed look at my background and qualifications, please see my LinkedIn Profile:

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesoflanagan/

🤖 How AI Led Me to a Solution

When traditional paths ran out, I turned to AI—not for a diagnosis, but for a new way to frame the problem. What followed was a surprisingly effective process of pattern recognition, risk filtering, and insight gathering.

• With AI’s help, I:

✅ Examined the biomechanics of jaw clenching and muscle tension.

✅ Uploaded my symptoms and medical history for analysis.

✅ Assessed risk—ensuring any new technique was low-risk, high-reward before trying it.

✅ Discovered a deep masseter release technique (inside the mouth) that I had never tried before.

And almost immediately—I felt a muscle in my neck relax for the first time in years.

Music by: Black Sabbath, "Rock 'n' Roll Doctor [Live]" (1983)

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ALHhi3FAPQ

⚖️ Risk Analysis Before Self-Treatment

Even the simplest solutions deserve a moment of scrutiny—especially when you're dealing with your own body. Before I tried anything new, I made sure to apply the same risk assessment mindset I’ve used in engineering and product design.

• Before attempting any new treatment, I followed a structured approach to risk assessment:

1️⃣ Understanding the Anatomy & Mechanics

📌 The masseter muscle is one of the strongest muscles in the body—clenching it repeatedly can lead to chronic tightness and referred pain in the jaw, neck, and even shoulders.

📌 Internal vs. external release – Many people massage the jaw externally, but the deeper tension is often inside the mouth. This was key to my treatment.

Link Reference: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/massage-therapy-for-health-science

2️⃣ Assessing Potential Risks

🛑 Injury risk? – Could this technique cause damage to my jaw joint or nerves?

🛑 Contraindications? – Was there any medical reason I shouldn’t try this?

🛑 Side effects? – Would I be sore or experience unintended consequences?

I researched medical literature and existing treatments. AI helped synthesize information from physical therapy, TMJ research, and manual therapy sources.

3️⃣ Determining the “Go/No-Go” Decision

✅ Low-risk – The technique was used by trained TMJ therapists and was non-invasive.

✅ High-reward – If successful, it could provide lasting relief.

✅ Self-administered – No special tools, drugs, or external assistance required.

With no red flags in my research, I moved forward—carefully.

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db4B8pD8YhM

🧠 Why AI Made a Difference

This wasn’t some experimental treatment—manual therapists and TMJ specialists have used this technique for years.

The problem? No one had ever suggested it to me.

And that's no one's fault, really. It's just how the medical profession is set up.

Siloed.

In my case, AI didn’t replace my doctors, but it did something valuable:

🔹 Connected the dots between my symptoms, biomechanics, and available treatments.

🔹 Surfaced a proven technique that had been overlooked in my case.

🔹 Helped me make an informed decision based on risk vs. reward.

I wasn’t looking for AI to diagnose me—I was looking for a new way to approach the problem.

And in this case, it worked.

Link Reference: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11719217/#:~:text=AI%20can%20be%20useful%20in,based%20guidelines%20and%20best%20practices.

🩺 Medical Insights: The Masseter Release Technique

Before I explain the technique, I want to be clear: I’m not a doctor. I’m an engineer with extensive experience in human biomechanics, but I don’t have formal medical training. What follows is a breakdown of the method that helped me, based on anatomical reasoning and careful evaluation.

📌 What is it? A manual release technique applied from inside the mouth to directly target deep jaw tension.

Link Reference: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/stubborn-tmj-pain-try-trigger-point-massage-and-jaw-exercises

📌 Why does it work? Many TMJ issues stem from chronic tension in the masseter and temporalis muscles. By accessing the deep layers internally, it’s possible to release tension that external massage often can’t reach.

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TJd7lKC064

📌 Who uses it?

🔹 Manual therapists (trained in intraoral techniques)

🔹 Osteopaths & TMJ specialists

🔹 Some dentists & orofacial pain specialists

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRw_8le9tPU

📌 Why wasn’t this recommended earlier?

💡 Medical silos – Different specialties focus on different solutions.

💡 Traditional paths – Treatments rely on night guards, stress management, & medication.

💡 Overlooked biomechanics – Jaw mechanics aren’t always considered in pain treatment.

AI helped bridge these gaps in knowledge.

Music by: Dion, "Dr. Rock and Roll" (1990)

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oty900HZfRA

⚡ AI and Problem-Solving: The Bigger Picture

AI’s value extends far beyond chatbots and image generation—it's transforming how we solve everyday problems. For example, researchers recently used AI to identify existing medications for repurposing, uncovering drugs overlooked for years. This highlights AI’s real potential: connecting unexpected dots to find overlooked solutions. It’s not just about replacing jobs or generating text—it accelerates problem-solving, bringing practical answers to light.

💡 What other low-risk, high-reward solutions could AI uncover?

💡 Where else can AI cut through the noise to provide actionable insights?

We’re just getting started.

Weird Al Yankovic, "Like a Surgeon" (1985) 🩺🎶

Video Reference: https://youtu.be/4BjAsJdw1-0?si=TLXICQFXMQIh5BoQ

Previous Biotech & Biomechanical Content from Oapsie Inc.

Oapsie Inc. has consistently explored the intersection of biomechanics, AI, and engineering—from optimizing baseball pitching mechanics through computational models to rethinking ocular systems with custom coordinate frameworks. Our past work has tackled real-world challenges in robotics, sports science, and medical innovation, often backed by original patents and published research.

This section reflects the foundation of biomechanical thinking that shaped our latest health-tech application.

The articles:

• This article introduces a custom curvi-linear coordinate system for modeling the human eye, advancing biomechanical precision in ocular research.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/d36-42-asme-imece-zonular-curvi-linear-coordinate-eye-james-gvywc/

• This article explores how engineers can use finite element analysis (FEA) with real-world applications in biotechnology, robotics, and product development.

Link Reference: https://oapsie.com/ballparkview/f/mastering-fea-for-engineers-applications-in-biotech-robotics

• This article connects baseball performance analysis with physics and biomechanics, using bell curves and Newtonian principles to explore modern sports data.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pennants-bell-curves-baseballs-sir-isaac-newton-oapsie/

• This post reflects on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in engineering, highlighting their potential to streamline problem-solving and enhance design workflows.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamesoflanagan_artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning-activity-7185613870521106433-I6BS/

• This research paper presents Pitcherview, a computational biomechanics approach designed to optimize baseball pitching mechanics through simulation, analysis, and real-time feedback.

Link Reference: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380577271_Pitcherview_Using_Computational_Biomechanics_To_Optimize_The_Baseball_Pitching_Motion

• This article takes a behind-the-scenes look at baseball through the lens of engineering, exploring how biomechanics, data analysis, and design principles intersect on and off the field.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/look-under-hood-baseball-style-james-o-flanagan/

Previous AI Coverage from Oapsie Inc.

Oapsie Inc.’s coverage of artificial intelligence spans technical application, ethical implications, leadership strategy, and creative exploration. From generative design in engineering to emotional modeling in large language models, our writing has consistently aimed to make AI accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.

This section highlights the groundwork that shaped our current thinking on AI’s role in personal health and everyday problem-solving.

On to the articles:

• This article examines the balance between data convenience and privacy, exploring the ethical considerations of AI-driven personalization in today’s digital landscape.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/deck-36-issue-48-ai-data-trade-off-convenience-o-flanagan-ms-frsa-jygec

• This article explores DeepSeek AI, an open-source AI model, and discusses its potential to reshape the landscape of generative AI by emphasizing transparency, accessibility, and real-world impact.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/deck-36-issue-46-deepseeks-open-source-ai-reality-james-gb4sc/

• This article highlights how generative AI can be used to set up and run engineering simulations more efficiently, based on a case study presented at ASME IMECE.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/deck-36-41-asme-imece-using-generative-ai-set-up-run-james-o-flanagan-lycac/

• This article explores the creative potential of AI-generated art, reflecting on its implications for design, authorship, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/d36-26-aiart-newsletter-article-james-o-flanagan-yxoic/

• This article provides an after-action report from a Data Breakfast event with Snowflake, discussing key insights on data architecture, AI integration, and emerging analytics trends.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/d36-22-after-action-report-data-breakfast-w-snowflake-o-flanagan-0nxrc/

• This article showcases how AI tools are becoming game changers for non-technical professionals, empowering them to automate tasks, generate insights, and enhance creativity without needing to code.

Link Reference: https://oapsie.medium.com/ai-tools-game-changers-for-non-tech-professionals-019353bfdf77

• This post explores the intersection of AI and creativity, emphasizing how artificial intelligence can enhance—not replace—human expression in art, writing, and design.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamesoflanagan_ai-creative-matter-activity-7266246616213274624-_fA8/

• This post discusses the value of conciseness in large language models (LLMs), highlighting how clarity and brevity can improve both AI output and human communication.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamesoflanagan_ai-llm-concise-activity-7237591569938137088-uQK8/

• This post goes into the emerging field of emotional AI, exploring how large language models (LLMs) can be trained to understand and respond to human emotions in a more empathetic and intuitive manner.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamesoflanagan_llm-emotional-ai-activity-7239969068902989824-Dtfb/

• This post explores the role of AI in management and leadership, discussing how AI tools can enhance decision-making, improve team dynamics, and foster more effective leadership skills.

Link Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jamesoflanagan_ai-aimanagement-leadershipskills-activity-7236060883238445058-DFEn/

🚧 Errata: Random Notes & Side Thoughts

📌 AI can’t replace doctors—but it sure can help find the right questions to ask.

📌 If you have TMJ issues, don’t overlook manual techniques—sometimes the answer is mechanical, not medical.

📌 AI is only as good as the questions you ask. The better you frame the problem, the better the solutions.

📌 A quick look at some of my research, biotech and otherwise:

Link Reference: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James-Oflanagan-Ms-Frsa

🎯 Conclusion: The Power of AI in Everyday Life

AI isn’t a magic bullet. But when used wisely, it can bridge gaps, connect ideas, and help people find answers faster than traditional methods ever could.

Imagine a future where the FDA approves AI tools that assist your family doctor in real time—surfacing personalized insights during a routine visit. That’s not science fiction anymore. And how cool would that be?

Link Reference: https://domannualreports.stanford.edu/unleashing-the-power-of-ai-in-primary-care/

I wasn’t looking for AI to cure me—I was looking for a smarter way to approach a long-standing problem. And in this case, it worked.

Have you ever used AI to solve something no expert could crack?

Drop a comment at the bottom of this article and let’s compare notes.

Robert Palmer, "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" [Live on Letterman] (1980)

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o5ELd0TGNE

💭 Final Thought: The Future of AI & Personal Health

As AI continues to evolve, its role in personal health is only beginning to take shape. We’re entering an era where individualized insights may come faster, earlier, and from places we never thought to look.

🔮 What happens when AI gets even better at surfacing personalized health insights?

🔮 How many other overlooked solutions are out there, waiting to be found?

🔮 Are we on the edge of an AI-driven shift in self-care?

I think so. And I think we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Music by: Thompson Twins, "Doctor! Doctor!" [Live] (2018)

Video Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6wDZMg3Gg4

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🔥🚀 Thanks for reading! Take care of yourselves and each other. 🚀🔥

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