One of the most frustrating moments for me in my practice is when a long-time patient starts talking about a health problem they have been struggling with for months or years and I have never heard them talk about it. It is frustrating for me because I regularly have great success in treating conditions that many patients would never consider telling me about. One such example is TMJ or jaw pain. It is a joint and it is controlled by muscles, both primary elements of my job as a chiropractor. But somehow patients don't put 2 and 2 together. So I thought I would briefly discuss common problems patients have with their TMJ and how I help them correct their pain and dysfunction.
The TMJ
The Temporomandibular Joint, or TMJ, is the jaw joint. It is found in front of the opening to your ears and it moves every time you speak, make a facial expression, and when you are eating. Some people hold their stress in their jaw by clenching their teeth. Others unconsciously "grind their teeth" while they are sleeping.
Your jaw bone, or mandible, is moved up-and-down, side-to-side, and forward-and-backwards by four primary muscles: internal and external pterygoids, massetters, and temporalis muscles. These muscles can be inflammed and can have trigger points which can cause all sorts of pain.
TMJ Symptoms
- Pain at the TMJ joint
- Popping, clicking, or grating of the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
- Limited movement or locking of the jaw
- Migraines and/or chronic headaches
- Pain in the neck and shoulders
- Jaw muscles stiffness
- A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together
- Ringing in the ears
- Ear pain
- Dizziness and vision problems
TMJ Treatment
In my office we frequently treat patients with TMJ syndrome. Most find great TMJ relief. We start with assessing the motion of the TMJ, the tone of the associated muscles, and take a detailed history of when the symptoms began. The symptoms may have started after a trauma to the head, neck, or jaw. They may have slowly come on insidiously. It could be that the patient has held tension and stress in their jaw for years with clenching and grinding of their teeth.
We work to address the aspects causing the patient's TMJ problem. This many times will involve working on the muscles associated with the TMJ using massage or Graston Technique. Sometimes we will do gentle adjustments to the TMJ using an Activator Instrument. Additionally, if the patient is grinding their teeth at night we will recommend referral to a good dentist or orthodontist who can fit the patient for a "night guard" to prevent excessive pressure at the TMJ and wearing down of the patient's teeth. Lastly, there are some exercises and stretches that we will give the patient to complete at home to reduce muscle tension and help the neck and jaw find a more natural, comfortable position.
Our natural approach to healing TMJ syndrome has helped many patients, often in just a few visits. If you suspect you have TMJ symptoms please contact our office. We would love to help you find rapid relief from your pain and discomfort.
Positively,
Dr. Brant Pedersen (DC)
Positive Motion Chiropractic
(408) 358-5086
15466 Los Gatos Blvd, Ste 215
Los Gatos, CA 95032
www.PositiveMotionChiro.com
Get healthy. Feel better.
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