We can help relieve TMJ pain by treating the source of your pain.

 

Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders (TMJD)

Commonly called TMJ, are characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movements. Injury and conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as arthritis, also affect the temporomandibular joint. People diagnosed with TMJ problems may be experiencing other symptoms and medical conditions as part of a broad multi-systems illnesses that go unrecognized.

Approximately 35 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems. While both men and women experience TMJ problems, the majority of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years.

Pain is the most common symptom of TMJ problems. TMJ pain is often described as a dull ache in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear, which comes and goes. Some people, however, report no pain, but still have problems using their jaws.

Other symptoms can include:

• Clenching and grinding
• Pain in the neck and shoulders
• Migraine and/or chronic headache
• Jaw muscle stiffness
• Limited movement or locking of the jaw
• Painful clicking, popping or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth a change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together or a bite that feels "off"
• Ringing in the ears
• Ear pain
• Decreased hearing
• Dizziness and vision problems

Most current tests are intended to rule out other possible medical conditions. A diagnosis of TMJ problems may be made only after every other possibility has been considered and eliminated. Facial pain can be a symptom of many conditions such as: sinus/ear infections, various types of headaches, facial neuralgias (nerve-related facial pain), tooth decay, and even tumors.

Our approach is posture based, assessing the connective tissues and musculoskeletal structures that can be a source of the problem. Most patients report marked improvement and are essentially pain free in a few months.

Not all causes are known. Potential causes or contributing factors are:

• Injuries to the jaw area
• Various forms of arthritis
• Dental procedures
• Genetic predisposition
• Hormonal influence
• low-level infections
• Auto-immune diseases
• Stretching of the jaw as occurs with inserting a breathing tube before surgery
• Clenching or grinding of the teeth
• Progression of TMJ problems

Some TMJ problems improve on their own, without treatment, within weeks or months with simple home therapy. For others, symptoms worsen over time and develop into long-term, persistent and debilitating pain.