subject: Chiropractic For Tempormandibular Joint Disorder (can A Chiropractor Fix Tmj?) [print this page] What Causes Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the jaw joins the skull. Problems or dysfunction of this joint can result in jaw clicking, headaches, sinus problems and even loss of hearing. Injury or excessive stress on the joint typically cause the problem and result in the symptoms you may be experiencing. If you suffer from some of these symptoms, there are chances you have TMJ problems. Initial treatment for a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can include applying heat or cold to the jaw area, eating mostly soft foods, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, or wearing a bite guard in the mouth at night. If these methods are unsuccessful, many patients resort to chiropractic as an alternative to those more invasive treatments.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is an alternative healthcare practice that focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system. It is based on the principle that improper alignment of the vertebrae or other skeletal structures can cause symptoms related to neurological function at local or remote points in the body.
How Can Chiropractic Help the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
Chiropractic care is most often thought of as something individuals seek when they are suffering from back pain. But it can also help with a variety of other problems, such as Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction. Chiropractic care for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can ease pain by correcting the misalignment between the spine and nervous system. Chiropractic can be effective at reducing the pain associated with TMJ, either when used alone or as a complement to other treatments. This is because, rather than change the diet or modify the teeth, it relaxes the muscles, adjusts the joint and uses specific trigger points to accurately re-position the jaw. When done successfully, this will not only relieve pain in the short run (as would medications or eating soft foods), but it will help prevent TMJ pain from returning.
Chiropractic treatment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) focuses on relieving tension in the muscles around the joints themselvesworking both outside and inside the mouth, using massage and trigger point therapy. A trigger point is a very sensitive area made of muscle fibers. Trigger points feel like knots and may cause pain or even a twitching response when pressure is applied to them. A chiropractor can manipulate trigger points in such a way to alleviate the pain associated with them.
Chiropractic treatment is very effective for patients with TMJ. Before treatment a Chiropractor will perform a full spinal analysis focusing on the upper neck and evaluating the jaw joint. Treatment plans will include chiropractic adjustments of the upper neck and/or jaw area. Depending on severity, patients may see immediate relief or will need a series of adjustments over time to see relief. Usually, the longer one waits to see a chiropractor for treatment, the longer the recovery time.
