TMJ and Chiropractic Care- Our Approach

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ in West Ashley, Charleston, SC

TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), also known as TMD, is a condition that affects the jaw joints, facial muscles, and nerves. The temporomandibular joint connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bones of your skull, allowing movement when you open and close your mouth. When this joint becomes inflamed, misaligned, or irritated, it can cause a range of painful symptoms such as jaw discomfort, headaches, and clicking noises during jaw movement.

What Causes TMJ?

Common causes of TMJ include:

• Jaw injuries
• Teeth grinding (often during sleep)
• Arthritis
• Nail-biting
• Infections
• Autoimmune diseases

Research shows that 12% of the U.S. population suffers from TMJ, and many people are unaware that chiropractic care can help manage and alleviate the pain associated with this condition.

Symptoms of TMJ:

• Jaw pain or soreness
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Difficulty chewing
• Popping or clicking sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Jaw stiffness or tightness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Sensitive teeth (with no apparent dental cause)

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait. Schedule a consultation with JP Chiropractic today to begin your personalized TMJ treatment plan and start feeling better.

How Chiropractic Care Helps TMJ:

1. Alignment of the Jaw Joint (TMJ Adjustment):

• Chiropractic care focuses on the realignment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can become misaligned due to stress, trauma, or other factors. Misalignment of the jaw can cause pain, clicking, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
• A chiropractic adjustment targets the misaligned jaw joint with gentle and precise movements, restoring proper function and reducing discomfort.
• Cervical (Neck) Adjustments: Since TMJ pain can be linked to poor posture and misalignment in the cervical spine, chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical vertebrae (neck) can alleviate tension and improve jaw function.

2. Restoring Range of Motion:

• When the jaw becomes stiff or restricted due to TMJ, chiropractic care can help restore the normal range of motion. This is achieved through gentle adjustments and manipulation to loosen tight muscles and tissues around the TMJ.

3. Alleviating Nerve Impingement:

• Misalignments in the jaw and neck can cause pressure on the nerves that control jaw muscles, leading to pain, headaches, and other symptoms. Chiropractic care can relieve nerve impingement and help restore normal nerve function, reducing pain.

How Manual Therapy Helps TMJ:

1. Soft Tissue Release:

• Manual therapy involves the use of the therapist’s hands to apply pressure to muscles and soft tissues to reduce tension and tightness. For TMJ sufferers, this often includes working on the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles, which can become tight and contribute to pain.
• By gently applying pressure and massaging the affected areas, manual therapy helps to release muscle tightness, improving jaw mobility and reducing pain.

2. Trigger Point Therapy:

• Trigger points are tight spots within a muscle that can refer pain to other areas. Manual therapy techniques can identify and release these trigger points in the muscles surrounding the TMJ, providing immediate relief from jaw pain, headaches, and neck tension.

3. Joint Mobilization:

• Manual therapy also includes techniques like joint mobilization, which involves gentle movements of the TMJ to improve its function and reduce stiffness. This helps restore proper movement of the jaw and alleviate discomfort.

4. Relaxing Jaw Muscles:

• Chronic stress and teeth grinding (bruxism) can cause the jaw muscles to become overly tight. Manual therapy can help relax these muscles, improving overall muscle function and reducing clenching and grinding, which are common TMJ triggers.

How Superficial Dry Needling Helps TMJ:

1. Targeting Muscle Tightness and Trigger Points:

• Superficial dry needling involves inserting very fine needles into specific muscle trigger points to release tightness and alleviate pain. For TMJ, dry needling can target muscles like the masseter and temporalis, which are often tight and cause pain when affected by TMJ.
• By releasing tension in these muscles, dry needling helps to reduce the overall discomfort associated with TMJ.

2. Reducing Muscle Spasms and Inflammation:

• TMJ pain can lead to muscle spasms in the jaw and neck. Dry needling promotes muscle relaxation and helps reduce inflammation, leading to reduced pain and improved jaw mobility.

3. Improving Blood Flow:

• Dry needling stimulates blood flow to the treated areas, promoting healing and tissue regeneration. This improved circulation aids in the recovery of the muscles affected by TMJ, reducing pain and increasing flexibility.

4. Enhancing Muscle Function:

• By targeting deep muscle layers, dry needling helps restore normal muscle function, reducing the pain caused by restricted muscle movement. This can improve overall jaw function, making it easier to open and close the mouth without discomfort.

In Summary:

• Chiropractic care works by realigning the TMJ and cervical spine, improving jaw mobility, and reducing nerve impingement.
• Manual therapy focuses on releasing muscle tension and trigger points, enhancing the jaw’s range of motion and reducing pain.
• Superficial dry needling targets specific muscle tightness and trigger points to reduce spasms, inflammation, and pain, while promoting healing.

Together, these therapies provide a comprehensive approach to TMJ treatment, addressing both the mechanical issues within the jaw and the muscle tension that contributes to discomfort.

If you’re suffering from TMJ and the associated pain, don’t wait any longer. Click here to schedule your TMJ consultation and start your journey toward pain relief and improved jaw health today.