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There would be many things that a chiropractor can do. They would administer treatment for neck and spinal problems, but is there a chiropractic treatment for TMJ? If you are suffering from a TMJ disorder, check this page for more information.
What is TMJ?
The TMJ or temporomandibular joint is the connection between the lower jaw to the skull. This joint is located right in front of the ears. TMJ pain is felt in the jaw that can be caused by several medical problems.
What are the causes of problems with the TMJ?
TMJ is the joint but anything that needs correction with that joint would be referred to as TMD or temporomandibular dysfunction. One of the most common causes of TMD would be the grinding and clenching of teeth during sleep. This teeth-grinding disorder is called bruxism. There would be a lot of pressure placed on the TMJ with bruxism, and this can be the cause of the pain in the TMJ.
Signs and symptoms of TMJ
TMJ disorders can have many or only one symptom present at one time. Some examples of these symptoms to watch out for would be a pain in the jaw, neck or face, difficulty in chewing, headaches, ear pain, locking of the jaw, a clicking or popping sound in the jaw or when you have trouble opening or closing your mouth.
The pain that you would feel in your jaw or mouth may also radiate to your shoulders. The pain for TMD is not restricted to the head alone. Also, there may be swelling in the side of the face where the TMD is present. TMD may also cause dizziness, vomiting, and bouts of nausea.
Is there chiropractic treatment for TMJ available?
When we think of chiropractic treatment, we would not automatically think of it is possible to work on the jaw. However, there are some cases of TMD that would be treatable by a chiropractor. They will initially have to check if chiropractic treatment would be useful for the case of TMD.
The chiropractic treatment for TMJ will begin with adjustments. Then a few other methods that can be applied would be myofascial release, which would loosen the tension of the facial muscles and soft tissues to maximize their functions. Also, active release therapy can be applied to get rid of any scar tissue that might be present in the area.
Also, a chiropractor may help by working together with a Chatswood dentist at Boutique Dental Care to help correct the patient’s TMJ disorder. Along with dental treatments, the chiropractor may advise how a patient’s posture can contribute to the misalignment of the TMJ.
What to do
If you feel that you may be suffering from TMD, it would be wise to contact your dentist or ENT specialist. They would be able to tell you if chiropractic treatment may be beneficial for your case of TMD. IF you feel any of the symptoms mentioned above, do not disregard the pain. There would be many specialists and doctors that can help you get rid of the pain.
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