Jaw Pain/TMJ Therapy

The temporo-mandibular joint are the two, highly complex joints connecting your lower jaw to the skull and is surrounded by 68 pairs of muscles immediately on each side of the head. The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the term used to describe pain or other dysfunction of these same joints. They allow you to chew, yawn, speak, and swallow and are in constant use. This joint is one of the most frequently used in the body and approximately 35% of the population suffer from TMJ disorders.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms can be the result of an injury to the joint, improper alignment of the jaw and teeth, overuse due to excessive or vigorous chewing, or the action of orthodontics. Habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth, especially while sleeping, can cause or aggravate symptoms. Besides pain and difficulty chewing, jaw symptoms can include decreased range of motion, locking, popping, clicking or misalignment of the teeth. TMJ can lead to pain that radiates to the face, head, neck and shoulders. Some chronic sufferers experience headaches, dizziness and earaches.

For individuals experiencing symptoms of TMJ, receiving treatment from a qualified chiropractor can help.

Treatment
Chiropractic care for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can ease pain by correcting the mechanics of how the joints articulate in a symmetrical motion. Chiropractic can be effective at reducing the pain associated with TMJ, either when used alone or as a complement to other treatments e.g. neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches.

Chiropractic treatment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) focuses on relieving tension in the muscles around the joints themselves—elongating the external muscles e.g. temporalis, masseter, buccinators and internal muscles e.g. pterygoids, using massage and gentle mobilisation techniques to regain movement in all planes of motion.

Chiropractic and Massage Treatment focuses on correcting symmetry in movement, correcting alignment and relaxing muscle spasm and inflammation. We have had great success in helping patients with TMJ problems.