stuck in stress

Sometimes we get patients referred to us for minor adjustments. Most of the time, it's for bigger cases but once in a while. there's a fun one or two. So, this patient somehow locked his jaw while eating or sleeping. He said he woke up unable to close his mouth properly to eat for 2 days before he saw his dentist. He was not in severe pain but it was getting worse each day. His dentist does not deal with TMJ issues so referred him to us. 
I like these cases because sometimes it's a quick 2 mins fix. But with this patient, his pain was getting worse so his fear elevated to a level he's not accustomed to.
I could see him sweating in my chair as he tries to close it himself. He could not relax enough for me to just move his jaw up and down. There was an amount of resistant that I could not distract him from. So I kept talking and massaging his face to relax. After 20 mins., we were both tired. He kept apologizing for his inability to relax his face. I told him it was understandable as I'm not his dentist. Trust takes time. Then right when I sensed he was more relaxed, I was able to get him to close properly in occlusion. I wish I had taken a picture of his face when he realized his teeth were touching evenly. The confusion on his face, his jaw opened and closed on its own, the realization that the problem is fixed, the amazement  in his eyes, and look of relief on his face. He quietly asked if he was "normal" again. I told him I believe so. I took another x-ray to confirm his condyle is in its normal position. He was so grateful. 
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