TMJD
Temporomandibular Joint (Jaw) dysfunction happens when the hinge connecting the upper and lower jaw isn’t working as it should. Chiropractic adjustments and manipulation can help restore movement.
Often referred to as TMJ for the joint, TMJD can be common among younger people. The causes include direct injury/trauma to the jaw, teeth grinding, nail-biting, degenerative joint diseases like arthritis, infections, and autoimmune diseases.
TMJ has a wide range of symptoms including:
- ear pain
- headaches
- neck pain
- jaw pain or soreness
- jaw pain when biting or chewing
- difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- popping or clicking noises when opening the mouth
- jaw stiffness
- tinnitus
- dizziness
- sensitive teeth when no other dental problems can be found
Chiropractic Adjustment
TMJD can stem from other issues, such as a pinched nerve in the spine or muscle tension elsewhere in the body. After a detailed assessment of your overall alignment, your chiropractor will pay attention to any points that need to be adjusted in order to bring it back into an optimal position. The chiropractor can also work with key muscles such as the masseter, the temporalis, and the pterygoid until better chiropractic jaw adjustment is achieved.
There are several things you can do to manage TMJD:
- Eating softer foods
- Applying ice packs
- Avoiding extreme jaw movements
- Practice gentle stretching of the jaw to help increase its movement
- Soft tissue massage
Talk to your chiropractor about a treatment that is right for you.
Dr Natasha Hayden is a pediatric and prenatal chiropractor that is passionate about helping her community discover just how good their bodies are designed to feel, so they can do more of what they love.
Your health goals are within reach with the support of our team.
