Can Chiropractic Help TMJ Pain?

TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint. What a mouthful! The TMJ is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. This joint is crucial for movement in your jaw, allowing you to talk, chew, and yawn. When someone has TMJ disorder, they might experience symptoms like:

• Jaw pain: This can be a dull ache or sharp pain, often around the joint area.
• Clicking or popping sounds: These noises might occur when opening or closing the mouth.
• Difficulty moving the jaw: This can include trouble fully opening the mouth or pain when chewing.
• Headaches or earaches: These can sometimes be related to the dysfunction in the TMJ.
• Jaw stiffness or locking: The jaw might feel stiff or get stuck in one position.

The causes of TMJ disorder can vary and may include:

• Jaw injuries: Trauma to the jaw can affect the joint.
• Teeth grinding or jaw clenching: Often related to stress, this can put extra pressure on the TMJ.
• Arthritis: Inflammatory conditions can affect the TMJ, leading to pain and discomfort.
• Misalignment: An uneven bite or jaw alignment issues can contribute to the disorder.

Can Chiropractic Help?

You bet that chiropractic can help with TMJ disorders. Treatment can often take a varied approach, using soft tissue therapy, chiropractic adjustments, posture correction, exercises, education, and collaboration to achieve your goals.

Soft Tissue Therapy: Often times, we may begin with treatment of the muscles of the neck, not only in the jaw. One of the techniques we use, Active Release Technique, is very effective for treating muscles of the TMJ. The muscles responsible for moving the jaw and chewing are located on the sides of the jaw as well as the sides of the head above the ear. Myofascial therapy be used to relieve muscle tension in the jaw and neck. This can help reduce pain and improve overall function.

Joint Adjustments: Additionally, we may use chiropractic adjustments to the jaw joint (TMJ) and surrounding vertebrae to improve alignment and function. This can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.

Posture Correction: We often address issues related to posture that can affect the TMJ. Improving posture can reduce strain on the jaw and help prevent or alleviate TMJ symptoms. Did you know that positioning of the tongue in the mouth has an effect on posture?

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Your treatment plan for your TMJ disorder will include exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the TMJ. These exercises can help improve jaw function and reduce discomfort, and improve range of motion of the jaw. This will allow for smoother movement of the joint and pain-free opening of the mouth.

Patient Education: We often educate patients about lifestyle factors and habits that might contribute to TMJ disorders, such as teeth grinding or improper chewing habits. They may suggest strategies to manage or modify these habits.

Collaborative Care: In some cases, we may work in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, such as dentists, to provide a more comprehensive approach to managing TMJ disorders.

Are you suffering from TMJ disorder or know someone who is? You don't need to needlessly suffer, contact us today to book an appointment and see how we can help you overcome TMJ pain. We can help!