TMJ Pain: Causes and Management Tips

The temporomandibular joint is a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to your skull. Temporomandibular disorders, or TMJ disorders, can cause pain in the muscles that control jaw movement as well as the jaw joint itself. It is not always easy to determine the actual cause of a patient’s TMJ disorder, although it can usually be due to jaw injuries, arthritis, or even genetics. Regardless of the cause, our team is here to help with your TMJ pain. Dr. Lisa Rubis of ANEW Medical and Rehabilitation in Joliet, IL, uses her deep knowledge and skills to relieve your TMJ pain with effective treatment.

Causes and Symptoms

TMJ disorders result when any of the following occur:

• The shock-absorbing disk that sits in between the joints either moves out of proper alignment or it erodes
• The cartilage of the joint is damaged due to arthritis
• The joint is damaged by an impact

If you have various types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you are at an increased risk of developing TMJ disorders. You are also at an increased risk of developing TMJ disorders if you have a jaw injury or certain connective tissue diseases. Some symptoms of TMJ disorders consist of:

• Tenderness or pain in your jaw
• Pain in both or just one of the temporomandibular joints
• Aching pain around and in your ear
• A hard time chewing or pain while chewing
• Facial pain
• Joint locking makes it hard to open or close your mouth
• Pain around the facial muscles
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Dental sensitivity

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatment is a safe, gentle, non-invasive, and effective method of relieving your chronic pain. Our chiropractor will employ spinal manipulation to properly align the body while relieving all acute and chronic pain caused by TMJ. The treatment aids in reducing pressure on the nervous system and gets the body back into peak functioning, which promotes relief from all symptoms associated with TMJ pain.

Our chiropractor will first check if your jaw has a normal range of motion after discussing your symptoms with you. We will then examine your jaw to determine the origin of the problem. We will also listen to the sound of your jaw when you open and close your mouth. TMJ can be treated through manipulation or jaw adjustments. This can treat the structural issues of the jaw. There are also stretches you can do at home to reduce the pain.

Contact Us at ANEW Medical and Rehabilitation for Long-Term TMJ Pain Relief

In addition to improving physical health, chiropractic treatment also enhances your overall quality of life. Rest assured that Dr. Lisa Rubis and her team at ANEW Medical and Rehabilitation in Joliet, IL, will customize a treatment plan that properly treats your TMJ pain. Contact us today at 815-207-7463 for our quality chiropractic care.