TMJ

What Is TMJ?

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, which is the hinge joint that connects your upper and lower jaws. Since we use it all day for chewing and talking, it is a common problem area.

TMJ pain affects between 20 and 30 percent of the adult population and occurs more commonly in women and people between the ages of 20 and 40. It often refers to the pain and dysfunction of muscles of the jaw that adversely affect one’s regular day-to-day activities.

If you are suffering from TMJ pain, our chiropractors at King Chiropractic & Laser can help ease the pain associated with the condition. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment with our chiropractors.

Symptoms of TMJ or Jaw Pain

Pain or tenderness of the jaw are the most common symptoms, but there are other symptoms that might indicate a need for TMJ treatment:
• Pain in the temporomandibular joints
• Restricted jaw movement
• Aching pain both in and around the ear
• Chronic headaches
• Experiencing pain while chewing or difficulty chewing
• A clicking noise while chewing or yawning, accompanied by limitation of movement or pain
• Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close the mouth
• Aching facial pain
• Neck ache
• Sleep disorders

Causes of TMJ and Jaw Pain

If you are experiencing TMJ or jaw pain, it can have multiple causes, including but not limited to:
• Trauma to surrounding muscles of the TMJ from an incident (e.g., car accident, sporting injury, etc.)
• Clenching of the jaw during daytime and grinding of the teeth while asleep at night
• Arthritis or other inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions
• Chronic stress
• Misaligned bite from incorrect bite, uneven teeth, or mis-positioning of the jaw

TMJ pain is usually caused by a few of these things combined, which is why our team of practitioners at King Chiropractic & Laser in Chelmsford, MA encourage a integrative approach that usually includes co-treatment with a dentist that specializes in TMJ issues.

What Types of Chiropractic Treatments Are Effective?

Chiropractic treatments for TMJ will need to be assessed on a patient-by-patient basis. With everything from stress to jaw injuries being the root causes of TMJ, there’s no blanket solution. That said, the following are often cited as an effective set of techniques:
• Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and jaw to improve mobility
• Trigger point therapy focusing on muscles key to TMJ such as the temporalis, masseter, pterygoid, and SCM
• Laser therapy to reduce inflammation in the joint
• Supplements to reduce muscle tension
• Exercises to help improve posture

Do You Suffer from TMJ? We Can Help!

If you would like to experience relief from TMJ pain, call the expert team at King Chiropractic & Laser in Chelmsford, Massachusetts.