Temporomandibular Joint

Temporomandibular Joint

Can a simple yawn produce a crack, pain, or muscle stiffness?

It could be a TMJ issue that chiropractic care can often help with.

It hurts to talk, yawn, or chew. The pain can be constant or intermittent, varying in intensity at times, but this situation can really drive you crazy.

If you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction, commonly referred to as TMJ, you know exactly how it feels.

The temporomandibular joints connect your lower jaw to your skull, just below your ears, and are made up of bones, muscles, and nerves. Symptoms of TMJ include a locked jaw (inability to open the mouth), clicking and popping sounds with jaw movement, chewing problems, headaches, facial pain, ear pain, and dizziness.

Treatment options may include:

• Jaw rest, keeping the teeth apart as much as possible to avoid grinding them down. Soft foods that require less chewing, such as liquids, are recommended. It is best to avoid chewing gum and hard, crunchy foods (i.e., candies, raw vegetables, and nuts).

• Applying ice/heat – to reduce inflammation, pain, and relax the muscles.

• Stress management techniques, such as biofeedback and talk therapy, since TMJ is often caused by stress.

• Night guards to prevent teeth grinding and clenching.

• Dental correction for an abnormal bite – orthodontics (braces), dental restorations, and realignment of bridges and crowns can correct dental abnormalities that contribute to TMJ.

For many, chiropractic treatment has proven helpful in relieving TMJ symptoms. It focuses on locating spinal misalignments and restoring movement to normalized levels.

Care is planned that is not based on the use of medications or surgery to correct your condition. In many cases, we emphasize a return to full mobility and a multidisciplinary approach.