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TMJ Pain

Chiropractic Patient Request

Between five and 12% of Americans are currently suffering from TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. Many individuals don’t get seen for this condition, even though it causes a lot of pain, while others have tried many therapies with no relief. If this is a struggle you are experiencing, be sure to give Vital Wellness Center a call. 

Care for TMJ is just as much of a priority as good nutrition is for a healthy body. Our TMJ chiropractor, Dr. Foss, is dedicated to restoring good health and providing relief to our patients. The following guide was compiled to help our current and future patients understand the symptoms, causes, and how we work to resolve this condition. 

What is TMJ Pain?

Normal activities like chewing or talking can become challenging due to TMJ pain because these actions require a jaw that moves freely. Painful inflammation of the temporomandibular joint occurs when TMJ strikes. This causes considerable dysfunction as this joint acts as a hinge between the skull and jaw bones. 

Most people probably don’t think of the jaw and knee as similar joints, but when you consider biomechanical functioning, they are identical. Both of these joints are subject to wear-and-tear since they both swing at a relatively fixed hinge point. Any dysfunction to the temporomandibular joint can cause significant interruptions in everyday life because this joint is crucial for survival-oriented activities such as eating and communicating.

TMJ Disorder Common Causes

A cushioning disc between the skull and jaw bones helps reduce friction, ease movement, and support the temporomandibular joint. As the mouth opens, this disc and the temporomandibular joint will move forward. Then the disc will slide back into place as the mouth closes. When this disc doesn’t evenly glide back into position, people with TMJ will hear a popping sound. Just like discs in the spine, if the temporomandibular joint disc shifts from its correct position it can cause uneven movement and pain.

Certain factors usually tend to cause this condition in many of our patients but symptoms can vary depending on the extent of the temporomandibular joint’s displacement and the condition of the jaw. Some common causes of TMJ include dental disorders, teeth-grinding or bruxism, or injury to the jaw, which can happen in an auto accident. There are also a few conditions that can cause joint degeneration. These include autoimmune diseases, arthritis, and some infections. Our chiropractor for TMJ pain, Dr. Foss, sees many patients that have misalignment of the cervical spine, or neck, which can affect pain processing and make TMJ symptoms worse.

TMJ Injury Symptoms

The lower jaw-skull complex can vary from patient to patient but the reduced range of motion and pain in this joint is caused by TMJ. Many are prompted to search the internet for a “chiropractor for TMJ pain near me” when they begin to have trouble enjoying their favorite foods or even a pain-free night of restful sleep. These are some of the most common symptoms our chiropractor for TMJ pain sees at Vital Wellness Center: 

  • Jaw, facial, or ear tenderness and pain
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Grating sensation, clicking sound, or popping when opening or closing the jaw
  • Difficulty closing the mouth due to a locking TMJ joint
  • Head, neck, or shoulder aches

Even though these are the most common symptoms of TMJ, other patients have also claimed to suffer from “pins-and-needles” tingling in their arms or hands, increased tooth sensitivity, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and other seemingly unrelated symptoms. Any jaw dysfunction can significantly impact everyday activities since the jaw is critical for speaking and eating. TMJ needs to be addressed as soon as possible because, if left unresolved, it can also cause health issues stemming from social isolation and poor nutrition. 

Eliminate TMJ Pain With Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic for TMJ pain is different from other approaches that our patients have encountered before coming to Vital Wellness Center. Some of them have tried potentially addictive, prescription pain medications or botox injections. Others have even considered or opted for risky TMJ surgery to seek relief. 

At our office, TMJ pain treatment requires none of those risky and complex interventions. We have found that they don’t work well for TMJ pain relief and offer no benefits for health improvement. Many people have visited our practice for TMJ problems only to become loyal patients because we help them feel better as a whole. Our chiropractor for TMJ pain, Dr. Foss, not only focuses on pain relief but also concentrates on the overall well-being of our patients.

Chiropractic Care for TMJ Pain Treatment

There are some common TMJ pain treatment options that work well for many of our patients even though everyone is different. We begin with interventions like cervical spine adjustments, spinal remodeling, massage, and supportive nutritional coaching. Our chiropractor for TMJ pain also focuses on helping patients make healthier lifestyle choices which include exercise, strategic supplementation, and daily stress management.

Each patient will receive a comprehensive assessment when they first visit Vital Wellness Center no matter which direction they decide to go with care options. This assessment will include a health interview and medical records review to help us understand a patient’s complete health. By conducting a detailed examination, testing jaw movement, and performing imaging studies, our chiropractor for TMJ can get a current view of the patient’s well-being. 

Cervical Spine Adjustment

One of our favorite types of TMJ pain treatment is cervical spine adjustment. This therapy centers on finding and correcting subluxations which are misalignments found in the spine that hinder normal nerve function. Healthy nerve function is necessary for accurate pain perception so focusing on the nerves is critical in chiropractic for TMJ pain relief. Headaches, neck aches, and upper back aches that contribute to TMJ pain can also be reduced by realigning the neck. The nerves help determine the number of healing resources that get to the temporomandibular joint since they also control the flow of nutrient-rich blood through the blood vessels.

Deep Tissue Laser

Red light energy that focuses on the cells inside the tissues is a therapy called deep tissue laser. This energy will penetrate the temporomandibular joint and disc to increase cellular energy production. When cells are reenergized they can help get rid of painful inflammation and start working on healing tissue. 

Supportive Nutrition Coaching

Vital Wellness Center offers patients customized nutritional guidance since the temporomandibular joint is essential for chewing. During this coaching, we will figure out which foods might exacerbate TMJ pain as well as which foods will help build a stronger, healthier body. 

Our chiropractor for TMJ pain, Dr. Foss, gains satisfaction by helping patients get back to the things they enjoy like eating their favorite foods, having a conversation with a friend, or getting a restful night of sleep. Don’t be robbed of another day by TMJ pain. Schedule a comprehensive TMJ pain assessment by giving us a call today.

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