Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (or TMJ) is a condition characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the mandible (jaw) to the skull. This disorder can result in significant pain and impairment. Many patients report having trouble chewing, talking, yawning, or anything else that involves using the jaw. Because it can interfere with so many normal daily activities, the type of impairment experienced by those suffering from this condition prompts sufferers to try anything they can to gain relief. Unfortunately, the first course of action many try when they suspect they have TMJ is calling a dentist or medical doctor.
Why is that unfortunate? As is usually the case in the broader medical community, medical doctors and dentists typically prescribe treatments that focus on the symptoms of TMJ, rather than the cause. Patients are often advised to take pain medications, change their diets to soft food, and even reduce talking! While these “treatments” might offer temporary relief, they are not solutions. Too often, these steps offer no real help, and many people even see their symptoms increase over time.
Common TMJ Symptoms
Before talking about why chiropractic medicine is the best course of action for TMJ patients, it’s important to look at the symptoms of this disorder. The symptoms can point to the underlying problem, and as that’s what chiropractors address, it’s a good place to start. Sufferers of TMJ experience one or more of the following:
- Pain and tenderness around the joint directly in front of the ear
- Opening and closing the mouth becomes difficult and/or painful
- A grinding or crunching can be felt or heard when the mouth is opened or closed
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Muffled hearing
So what do these symptoms point to as a cause? We have found that TMJ often occurs when a disc in the neck (often the top (Atlas) disc in the spine) becomes displaced and the surrounding muscles and tendons become inflamed. This displacement (or subluxation) has been identified in case studies as causing and perpetuating the symptoms of TMJ.
When you see a chiropractor for TMJ, a series of adjustments will be the likely course of action, and patients often report significant improvements beginning within only a few visits. With this relief, a reduction in the frequency and severity of headaches and other symptoms are typical. The best part is that the effects of chiropractic care on TMJ have been shown to last. Patients report being symptom-free even a year or more after treatment, with no need for additional treatments for TMJ or its symptoms.
The lasting effects are no surprise to us in the chiropractic profession though. The whole purpose behind what we do is in treating the whole person and the causes of disease. And we know that when we treat the cause, the problem goes away and isn’t likely to return. So if you or anyone you know in the San Clemente area is suffering from TMJ, get in touch with our office for more information, or to schedule an appointment. It’s about time you felt relief!