TMJ Syndrome/Dysfunction
The Temporomandibular Joint
This fascinating joint connects your jaw to your head. Ligaments,
cartilage, fascia, an articular disc, muscles, nerves and blood
vessels run in, around, and through the TMJ.
Symptoms of TMJ
TMJ dysfunction or syndrome occurs when the joint is misaligned
or malfunctioning in some way that subjects it to excess pressure.
Among the most common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction are the inability
to open the mouth wide and clicking or popping sound when the mouth
opens or closes.
Other TMJ symptoms can be severe headaches; loss of hearing;
tinnitus (ringing in the ears); the sensation of an object in the
throat; facial swelling; shoulder, cheek or jaw joint pain; neck
ache; and dizziness.
The Standard Dental/Medical Approach
Other treatments are orthodontics, restorative dentistry to build
up the bite, bite plates, and physical therapy.
The Chiropractic Approach
A properly aligned spine helps the TM joint. Spinal and TMJ problems
are often found together.
Chiropractic care, especially in the area of the upper cervical
spine and skull, often relieves pressure on the spine and cranial
bones. Forward head posture often leads to excess stress on the
TMJ joint; therefore, chiropractic care often gets excellent results
in relieving TMJ symptomatology.
Sitting in a dentist’s chair and keeping your jaw, head,
neck and lower spine in an unnatural or uncomfortable position
can cause TMJ and spinal damage. It is; therefore, strongly recommended
that if you undergo dental care, follow it up with a visit to your
chiropractor.
In Conclusion
Often a chiropractic spinal adjustment can greatly benefit someone
suffering from what had been thought to be only a TMJ problem.
Conversely, an unhealthy skull/jaw alignment can put great stress
upon the spinal column. There are documented cases of dental problems
that, once corrected, have helped chiropractic patients to better
hold their spinal adjustments.
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