- August 2, 2022
TMJ Disorders and How a Chiropractor Can Help
Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) affect approximately 20% of adults at some point during their lives. The TMJ consists of two joints located near the ear and behind the lower teeth. These joints allow movement between the upper and lower jaws. When these joints become damaged or misaligned, they can cause discomfort or even severe problems such as headaches, neck pain, facial pain, toothaches, or trouble chewing food.
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat TMJ conditions using manual manipulation techniques. They also educate patients about prevention strategies, including proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Patients who receive regular care from a chiropractor see significant improvements in symptoms. For example, studies show that chiropractic treatment reduces pain levels by 50%, improves sleep quality by 80%, and increases overall health scores by 40%.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ
- Headaches
- Neck Pain
- Jaw Pain
- Toothaches
- Difficulty Eating/Swallowing Food
- Trouble Sleeping
- Earaches
- Facial Pain
- Soreness in The Face
- Swelling Of The Lips Or Tongue
Can a Chiropractor Help Fix TMJ?
How Does It Work?
What Does a Chiropractor Do For TMJ?
Chiropractic Adjustments
Adjusting the Spine
When Should I See My Chiropractor?
TMJ Disorders Are Common Among Athletes
Other Treatment Options
- Relaxation Exercises like meditating can help relieve muscle spasms. During relaxation sessions, you lie down comfortably while breathing deeply. As you breathe in, you focus on relaxing your mind and body. Then, as you exhale, you think of something pleasant that makes you happy. Repeat this process until you feel calm and relaxed.
- Massage Therapy is another way to relax your muscles. While lying on your back, your therapist will apply firm pressure along specific areas of your body. He or she may use a variety of techniques, including kneading, tapping, rubbing, stretching, and deep tissue massage.
- Medications are sometimes used to treat TMJ disorders. For example, over-the-counter antihistamines relieve symptoms associated with allergies and colds. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) reduce inflammation. Muscle relaxants ease tightness and pain in the neck and jaw muscles.
- Speaking to your doctor about injections is an option if medications don’t work well enough. An injection delivers medicine directly into your tissues, or sometimes into the joints themselves.
- Surgery can be performed on some people with TMJ disorders. This treatment involves removing damaged bone and cartilage from the joint. It’s usually done because other methods aren’t effective.