My family doc always tells me to use ice for swelling. I hate cold so I never do it. When I do the jaw exercises, I first use warm washcloths on my jaw joint by my ear, then I do stretches and tongue depressors. It seems to me that using heat first makes it so much easier for me to do the tongue depressors. Thats how I learned to do it from my PT anyway.

I wouldnt force your jaws open. That sounds like it could do more damage. Its one thing to stretch them open but I wouldnt recommend forcing it. I hope you feel better very soon. I hope you are getting nutrition with drinking Carnation VHC with a straw or another feeding formula. You dont want to get dehydrated or malnutritioned on top of everything else you are goigng thru. Have you tried to take some anti-inflamitory meds? I would ask at your next doctors appointment if that might help.

Wishing you all the best!!!!