Effective Chiropractic TMJ Pain Relief

What is TMJ Disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder is a painful condition that affects the joints in your jaw. Normal movements that require a freely moving jaw like talking or chewing can become challenging and painful with TMJ. Because this joint is like a hinge between the jaw bones and skull, when TMJ pain strikes, it causes painful inflammation and considerable dysfunction. This joint acts as a hinge between the skull and jaw bones, so it also causes considerable dysfunction.

Biomechanically speaking, the knee and jaw are functionally identical in that they both swing at a relatively fixed hinge joint. Because of this similarity, they are both prone to wear and tear. Any dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint causes significant interruptions in everyday life because it is crucial in survival-oriented activities like communicating and eating. 

Common Causes of TMJ Disorder

There is a cushioning disc between the skull and jaw bones which reduces friction while supporting the temporomandibular joint and helps with movement. As the mouth opens, this disc and the temporomandibular joint move forward. This disc will then slide back into place as the mouth closes. If the disc doesn’t evenly glide back into position, many people with TMJ disorder may hear a popping sound. Similar to discs in the spine, the temporomandibular joint disc causes pain and uneven movement when it moves from its usual location.

There are certain factors that cause this condition in many of our patients here at Health From Within, but symptoms typically depend on the extent of the temporomandibular joint’s displacement or condition of the jaw. Some of these include dental disorders, jaw injury, which can occur in an auto accident, or bruxism, also known as teeth-grinding. Other patients may have other conditions like arthritis, autoimmune diseases, some infections, and joint degeneration.

Arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and some infections are conditions that cause joint degeneration in some patients. Interference with pain processing and worsened TMJ symptoms are seen in most patients by our chiropractor for TMJ pain which has some degree of cervical spine or neck misalignment. 

TMJ Injury and Symptoms

The lower jaw-skull complex varies quite differently from patient to patient but TMJ will cause pain and reduced range of motion in most of our patients. When people start having difficulty enjoying their favorite foods, getting restful sleep, or having a pain-free night is when they are prompted to search the internet for a “chiropractor for TMJ pain near me.” Some of the most common symptoms our chiropractors for TMJ pain here at Health From Within see are the following:

• Difficulty closing the mouth due to a locking TMJ joint

• Jaw, ear, or facial pain and tenderness

• Difficulty chewing

• Clicking sound, grating sensation, or popping when opening or closing the jaw

• Head, neck, or shoulder aches

These are the most common symptoms of TMJ disorder but some other patients also reported increased tooth sensitivity, dizziness, ringing in the ear, “pin-and-needles” tingling in the arms or hands, or others that seem unrelated. Jaw dysfunction can significantly impact everyday activities like speaking and eating. Health issues stemming from poor nutrition and social isolation can also be caused by untreated TMJ so it must be treated as soon as possible. 

How Chiropractic Can Alleviate and Eliminate TMJ Pain

Chiropractic for TMJ pain usually differs from any interventions or treatments that many of our patients sought before coming to see us. Many of the drugs they tried were botox injections and potentially addictive prescription pain medications. Some patients have even had or thought about having risky TMJ surgeries for relief. 

Here at Health From Within, we don’t include any of these complicated or risky treatments. These interventions do nothing to improve overall health and don’t work well to alleviate TMJ pain. Our new patients quickly become loyal patients that keep coming back because they end up feeling so much better. They originally come in for TMJ pain relief but our chiropractors don’t just stop there, as they also specialize in achieving wellness to help them feel better overall.

Our Chiropractic TMJ Pain Treatment

Even though each patient is different, many of our patients benefit from some TMJ pain treatments. Some of these include supportive nutrition coaching, massage, spinal remodeling, and cervical spine adjustment. Our chiropractor for TMJ pain also focuses on helping patients make health-promoting lifestyle choices like daily stress management, strategic supplementation, and exercise in addition to the aforementioned interventions.

Each of our patients will receive a comprehensive assessment at the start of their treatment no matter which treatment options they choose. To better understand a patient’s health history we also conduct an in-depth health interview and medical records review. Then, to get a current view of health, our chiropractor for TMJ pain conducts jaw movement tests, a detailed examination, and image studies.

Cervical Spine Adjustment

One of our favorite forms of TMJ pain treatment here at Health From Within is cervical spine adjustment. We focus on finding and correcting subluxations during this therapy. Subluxations are misalignments in the spine that impede normal nerve function. Healthy nerve function is necessary for accurate pain perceptions so it is an important step in chiropractic for TMJ pain therapies. Reducing upper backaches, neck aches, and headaches that contribute to TMJ pain can also be achieved by realigning the neck. Plus, the number of healing resources that can get to the temporomandibular joint are also determined by the nerves and how they control the flow of nutrient-rich blood through blood vessels.

Supportive Nutrition Coaching

The temporomandibular joint is critical for chewing and breaking down food. Because of this, part of our treatment for TMJ is customized nutritional guidance for our patients. This coaching typically includes us taking an in-depth look into current diet and nutrition so we can determine which foods may be exacerbating TMJ pain. This research provides us with critical information on foods we believe will help build a stronger and healthier body. 

Here at Health From With, our chiropractor for TMJ pain likes helping patients enjoy things like a good night’s sleep, conversations with friends, or a good meal. Don’t let TMJ pain stop you from enjoying another day of life, call us at Health From Within to schedule your TMJ pain consultation today.