Chiropractic Relief For Tmj Dysfunction

The Temporomandibular joints lengthy name is indicative of its function

. More conveniently referred to as TMJ, it is the hinge joint connecting the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone in the skull. The TMJ joint is flexible, as it has to allow movement for chewing, speaking, yawning, etc. In fact, muscles surrounding the TMJ are highly active in everyday life.

Dysfunctions with the TMJ are painful and hard to ignore, seeing as how the joint is responsible for aiding in crucial, everyday activities like eating. Those who suffer from Temporomandibular disorders or TMD (often times incorrectly referred to as TMJ) experience pain due to the misaligned motion of the jaw. TMD is thought to be brought on by a number of problems including:

* Grinding or clenching of ones teeth

* Dislocation

* Arthritis of the jaw

* Stress

* Trauma

* Degenerative Joint Disease

Because TMD is so disruptive to everyday function, its important to seek relief from a medical professional. Chiropractic care is a smart place to look for TMD rehabilitation. A chiropractor will examine the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint and make adjustments by hand or tools until the area is properly realigned. It is also important to relax the muscles causing stress around the restricted area. After seeking help from a chiropractor, the individual suffering from TMD should avoid over-action with the jaw. This means limiting the diet to softer foods and not chewing gum, ice, or hard foods. If possible, permanent jaw surgery should be avoided as well. The TMJ Association shares a personal story about this on their website. The story is of Karen, a 48 year old woman, who has suffered from TMJ related pains for 33 years. As a young adult, she had multiple surgeries that attempted to rectify her TMD. It wasnt until Karen went to chiropractic school that she learned of the dangers of a previous surgery where she had TMJ implants. As it turned out, the Teflon and silicone implants were shedding debris that then poisoned her immune system, causing seizures and affecting her cognitive development. Though Karens story is somewhat of an anomaly, it serves as an example that nonsurgical chiropractic therapy is the most risk-free route to take when seeking relief with TMJ related dysfunctions. Chiropractic care will not only provide short-term pain relief, but will also serve to prevent future problems from surfacing.

If you have been diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction or suffer symptoms and suspect you may have TMD, visit a chiropractor for an initial assessment. A chiropractor can help determine the severity of your dysfunction and create a personalized plan of care for your treatment.

by: Brad Woodle

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