Treatment for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Discover how chiropractic treatment can help alleviate symptoms of TMJ. For more information about treatment options for TMJ, contact Garden State Spinal Care.
TMJ Chiropractors in Montclair, NJ
You’re probably wondering, “how can a chiropractor help with TMJ?” Chiropractic treatment for TMJ may help alleviate pain by loosening up the jaw muscles.
What is TMJ?
TMJ is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint. This is an important joint that connects your mandible to your skull. TMJ can cause various conditions that may impact jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and facial nerves. When your jaw opens, the upper ends of the mandible on both sides glide along the joint socket. When you close your jaw, they slide back to the previous position. TMJ can cause teeth grinding while awake or asleep, nail biting, and general jaw trauma. Additionally, TMJ carries a wide range of symptoms, including jaw pain and soreness, neck pain, headaches, earaches, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, clicking/popping noises when opening the jaw, tinnitus, and jaw stiffness—these are just a few of the many conditions. As you can see, the jaw muscles have a significant influence on all the surrounding joints and muscles.
Techniques for TMJ
There are several jaw chiropractic adjustment techniques that TMJ chiropractors can utilize to help with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), more commonly referred to as TMJ. They focus on the three key muscles: the masseter, temporalis, and the pterygoid. Additionally, a chiropractor may focus on the suboccipital muscles and the top two vertebrae, as these can all greatly affect the jaw. When it comes to a chiropractic adjustment for TMJ, chiropractors will apply soft tissue techniques to the masseter while opening and closing your mouth. The masseter is the deep and thick muscle of the jaw that plays a significant role in chewing. Furthermore, the same technique can be utilized on the temporalis, only with less pressure, while a similar method can be used on the pterygoid as well.
Book an appointment and get started today!
For further information on chiropractic treatment for TMJ, contact the Garden State Spinal team today.