Chiropractic Care for TMJ

If jaw pain or clicking has been diagnosed as temporomandibular disorder, known as TMJ, chiropractic treatment can help with pain management. Learn what you can expect.

What Is TMJ?

Temporomandibular disorder describes a group of conditions related to the inflammation of the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. Inflammation can also affect surrounding muscles and nerves that support jaw movement.

When everything is correctly aligned, the ends of the jawbone slide along the socket located at the base of the skull as you open your mouth, and return to their original position when you close it.

TMJ might come on gradually, perhaps after years of teeth grinding, or suddenly in response to trauma or damage to the joint. TMJ can also indicate a more pervasive condition like arthritis, resulting in joint erosion.

In all cases, you start to notice pain, soreness or a clicking sound on one side of your jaw. A sharp or aching pain when chewing can also result.

As many as 30 percent of adults may experience TMJ in their lifetime. Causes include:

• Getting into a car accident
• Hitting your head
• Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
• Nail biting
• Arthritis
• Infection
• Autoimmune disease
• Poor skull alignment

Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ encompasses a broad group of symptoms, including:

• Ear pain
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Jaw pain and soreness
• Pain when biting or chewing
• Challenges opening and closing your mouth
• Popping or clicking sounds when you open your mouth
• Jaw stiffness
• Dizziness
• Tooth sensitivity
• Tinnitus
• Facial pain
• Muscle spasms
• Shoulder pain
• Tingling in the shoulder that spreads to your arm or hands

How Chiropractic Can Address TMJ

A chiropractor will focus on manipulating the joint and muscles in the jaw area to improve movement and lessen clicking, tension and pain. Seemingly unrelated sources of nerve pain may also be explored, particularly spinal alignment and stresses placed on the jaw.

Poor alignment and support along the vertebrae can throw the jaw out of sync. The joint no longer operates as smoothly and the extra stress causes surrounding muscles to tense up or wear out sooner. Considering this relationship, a chiropractor may work to better align your spine and decrease the pressure placed on your jaw.

Between these two approaches, your personalized treatment plan may involve:

• Aligning and relieving stress on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles
• Adjusting the jaw to ensure both sides open evenly and without pain
• Exercises to relieve pain, improve movement and strength
• Dry needling to further decrease any muscle tension
• Addressing posture in relation to jaw positioning
• Using traction devices to further focus on posture, spinal alignment and the jaw

Before seeking chiropractic care, it’s important to first speak with your dentist about alternative pain relief methods to avoid interfering with your current TMJ treatment.
 
Considering chiropractic care to manage TMJ? Make an appointment with The Chiropractic Health Center of Glastonbury today!