Can a Chiropractor Help With TMJ Pain?
According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractors across the nation treat more than 35 million Americans of all ages each year. The conditions addressed by chiropractors include back pain, to be sure, but they can also alleviate excessive stress and even chronic headaches. They might even be able to provide some relief for conditions for which you might otherwise see a dentist. That's right: many chiropractic specialists can help with TMJ pain. In today's post, we'll learn a bit more about this condition and how a jaw chiropractor can help provide some relief.
What is TMJ?
A temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) -- essentially, the area around your jaw and the facial muscles near it. The terms TMD and TMJ are often used interchangeably to describe problems in the area that connects the jaw and the skull. Symptoms can vary from patient to patient, but they often include pain, swelling, and movement issues, as well as clicking or popping, headaches, neck aches, and issues with eating or talking. The causes of TMJ can range from poor alignment or jaw injury to stress and bruxism (teeth grinding); sometimes, there's no known cause, with symptoms mysteriously disappearing or reappearing without warning.
How is TMJ Usually Treated?
Traditionally, TMJ or TMD will be assessed by dental professionals, who may utilize a variety of approaches to treat the condition. Anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle changes (e.g., eating soft foods until symptoms dissipate, using heat or cold compresses, wearing a mouth guard at night) are usually recommended. Self-massage, acupuncture, and stress reduction may also be part of treatment. In more serious cases, injections or surgeries may be required. However, most patients find that lifestyle changes are usually enough to allow symptoms to go away on their own in good time. When they are not, chiropractic treatment for TMJ may be necessary.
Can Chiropractic Treatment Improve TMJ Symptoms?
Many patients don't realize that there may be other ways to treat their TMD—such as with a chiropractor for TMJ. In cases where TMJ pain may be due to excessive tension or the physical strain that often accompanies emotional stress, a chiropractor can realign the body and reduce pain that relates to the patient's jaw condition. By addressing any dysfunction in the patient's spine and neck, it's possible to reduce nerve pressure and provide relief from TMD pain.
Different jaw chiropractors may utilize different techniques to achieve positive results for TMJ pain. While much of the evidence to support the use of chiropractic care for TMD is anecdotal, it's clear that many patients do find relief by seeking out treatment from a chiropractor. This type of treatment can get to the root cause, rather than merely treating the symptoms. What's more, ongoing chiropractic care -- even when patients are not experiencing significant problems due to TMJ -- can improve overall health. However, it's important to note that lifestyle changes and dental intervention may still need to be made in addition to learning how a chiropractor can help with TMD. Ultimately, approaching treatment from all of these different angles will likely yield the best results.
Contrary to popular belief, chiropractic TMJ treatment isn't only for obvious back pain. In fact, this type of treatment can be highly effective in treating countless other conditions. To learn more about how a chiropractor can help with health symptoms you may be experiencing, please contact us today.
