TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a condition(s) affecting the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. It can present as pain, headaches, clicking or irregular movements when opening and closing your mouth. Causes include: skeletal abnormalities or malfunctions, and disturbed sleep patterns including teeth grinding and clenching of the jaw. From gentle adjustments to laser treatments, we have several options available to help get you out of pain.
Chiropractic can help with TMJ by alleviating tension and dysfunction in the jaw, neck and spine. As chiropractors alleviate this dysfunction, it reduces pressure on nerves, which then alleviates pain associated with TMJ. Some patients need continual care in order to keep pain and other side effects away.
Treatment for TMJ focuses on three key muscles: the masseter, the temporalis, and the pterygoid. Our doctors will also pay attention to the suboccipital muscles, jaw joint itself and the top 2 vertebrae because they greatly impact the jaw and we want to ensure everything is properly aligned.
Soft tissue work on the pressure points of these muscles, along with adjustments to the jaw followed by exercises can alleviate the problem and get you feeling better. In challenging cases, these treatments may be combined with dry needling or deep tissue laser to speed up healing.
