Jaw Pain or TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) and TMD (Temporomandibular Muscle Disorders) are conditions that many people suffer from while relatively few actually realize they have it. Chiropractic can alleviate and or help these conditions.
The most obvious signs are clicking and popping in the jaw joint, however, many other symptoms than indicate TMD/TMJ, including:
- Pain in or around the jaw
- Locking or limited opening
- Headaches
- Pain behind the eyes
- Dizziness
- Earaches or ringing in the ear
- Clenching or grinding
- Neck, shoulder, or back pain especially pain that hasn’t gone away with other interventions
Oftentimes, this pain-causing syndrome is something that can be cleared up rather quickly with proper evaluation and intervention. Many of the above symptoms are related to an imbalance in muscle function. In other words, muscles that are too tight or weak can result in altered joint mechanics and cause pain.
And while we don’t “adjust” the jaw, it has been shown that myofascial release (soft tissue work) and exercise is highly effective in remedying these conditions.
Evaluation of the jaw, neck, shoulder, and spine is important in identifying the source of your pain. There are muscles that connect the jaw to these other joints, which is why it’s necessary to evaluate all of these areas prior to prescribing treatment.
Surprisingly, the temporomandibular joint is often overlooked in a typical health screening or physical, which is a shame since it plays such a key role in pain syndromes related to the head, neck, and shoulder. This joint can even be affected by an automobile accident or another event in which there is no direct trauma to the jaw.
If you’re suffering from any of the symptoms above or have any questions about your current TMD and TMJ treatment, please contact Dr. Rockers. Our mission is to treat your pain so you can enjoy life to its fullest.