What Treatments Work to Relieve TMJ Symptoms?

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) symptoms are thought to arise for a variety of reasons, from trauma to the neck/head and uncorrected poor posture to whiplash and even falling on the tailbone. When your tailbone forcefully hits the pavement or a cement floor, the compensatory response by the spine can reach into our cranial bones, especially the temporomandibular joint connecting your jaw to your skull. Within a few days of falling, signs of developing TMJ disorder may emerge, such as jaw joint pain, stiffness, ear popping and locking of your jaw. Instead of prescribing pain medications for temporary relief of TMJ pain, chiropractors address the underlying cause of most TMJ disorders-- cervical and lumbar spine misalignment.

Chiropractic Medicine for TMJ Disorder

Chiropractors understand the close relationship between your cranial bones and cervical spine vertebrae. In addition, they are highly qualified to identify and correct dysfunctions affecting these areas. Spinal adjustments provided by your chiropractor not only restore alignment to your spine but also remove pressure on spinal nerves extending into all parts of your body. Nerve compression originating in the spine is a primary cause of pain and inflammation of soft tissues and joints. If the spinal misalignment is contributing to TMJ symptoms, leaving misalignment and nerve compression uncorrected may lead to worsening of symptoms, teeth grinding, migraines and additional stress on your spinal vertebrae.

More Information about the Temporomandibular Joint

Separating the end of your jaw bone from your skull is the articular disc, a thin piece of tough connective tissue lying between the mandibular fossa and the condyle of the mandible. If this disc is moved out of its normal position due to teeth grinding, falling on the tailbone or trauma to the jaw, you may suffer symptoms of TMJ disorder. Your chiropractor can restore normal positioning of the articular disc using spinal adjustments, massage therapy or active release technique, a type of massage that dissolves scar tissue and adhesions restricting ligament and muscle movement. 

Find relief from TMJ pain by scheduling an appointment today with a chiropractor at ANEW Medical and Rehabilitation. Contact us at 815-207-7463 to speak to one of our staff members about chiropractic treatment for TMJ disorder