Chiropractic and TMJ

By William A. Cox, DC

Chiropractic care is very popular for those seeking relief from common maladies such as back pain, neck pain and headaches. But, did you know that chiropractic can also be effective in treating jaw pain?

The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the area where the top and bottom jaw bones (the maxilla and mandible) meet. Every time you open and close your mouth, you are using this joint. Many people suffer from TMJ pain and dysfunction.

The doctor of chiropractic is trained to examine the various joints of the body and identify where there may be areas of restriction or dysfunction that hinder the natural mechanics of the body. Once these restrictions are discovered, the chiropractor can then restore the joint's normal range of motion through adjustments, soft tissue work and therapeutic exercises.

Those people with TMJ dysfunction often experience jaw or facial pain, headaches, difficulty chewing and moving their jaw. By examining the TMJ, a chiropractor is able to determine in which parts of the jaw the problem may lie.

Traditional treatment of TMJ has consisted of hot and cold compresses, night guards to lessen the effects of teeth grinding and bite plates to help realign the jaw. Often, these conservative treatments are not enough to restore the normal function of the TMJ. Furthermore, in the worst cases, surgery is used as a last resort. This is why chiropractic is important.

By realigning the temporomandibular joint, it is possible to ease the strain on the jaw and alleviate the patient's symptoms.

In order to do this, chiropractic techniques are used to relax the muscles around the jaw, restore the joint's proper alignment and treat specific trigger points that are related to the problem. Not only does it give relief from the pain related to TMJ, but chiropractic care can prevent the dysfunction and symptoms from returning.

Anyone who has experienced TMJ dysfunction will tell you how painful and bothersome the condition can be. If you are suffering from TMJ dysfunction and have not yet tried chiropractic, now is the time to make an appointment.