The average person uses their temporomandibular joints (TMJ) about 5,000 times a day, doing everything from yawning, talking, laughing, eating, chewing, swallowing, and smiling. Unfortunately, there are approximately 10 million Americans who are affected by TMJ disorders, which causes misalignment of the jaw joint and stress on the muscles leading to pain.
What is TMD Disorder and What Causes It?
TMJ disorder is a broad-ranging term used to describe the acute or chronic inflammation of the TMJ, which connects your mandible to your skull.
Here are some of the known causes of TMJ disorder:
- Bruxism – Grinding teeth
- Trauma – Trauma to the jaw or TMJ
- Hormones – Researchers are puzzled because TMJ disorders occur more often in females than in males, so they are looking at the possibility that hormones are a part of the problem
- Unknown Cause – In most cases, scientists and researchers don’t know the exact cause.
Signs and Symptoms of TJM Disorders
Medical experts have come up with a list of symptoms linked to TMJ disorders, which include:
- Searing pain in the face, jaw, or neck
- Stiffness in the jaw muscle
- Locking jaw or limited movement
- Earache
- Headache and in some cases migraines
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Clicking, grating, or popping of the jaw with mouth movement
- Difference in how upper and lower teeth fit together
What TMJ Disorder Treatments are Available?
Since science and research is still uncertain of the cause of TMJ disorder, it is probably tougher still to try and come up with a treatment. But, the experts are calling for conservative and reversible treatments that call for the following:
- Soft food consumption
- Icing the affected area with ice packs
- Trying to avoid extreme jaw movements (yawning, gum chewing, etc.)
- Seek out a respectable chiropractor to help you find additional solutions, stretches, and exercises
Some TMJ disorders can and will go away on their own. So, give thoughtful consideration before considering non-irreversible methods of treatment, such as surgery. It’s probably best you find a health care provider, who specializes in musculoskeletal disorders and understands painful conditions.
Contact a Chiropractor for TMJ at the Pinto Chiropractor Center
Do you or a loved one experience searing pain in your jaw? If so, contact a Chiropractor for TMJ at the Pinto Chiropractor Center for services to relieve your pain. We are specialists at helping folks get their bodies realigned for better fit and function, and not just their backs either. We’ll give you a thorough examination to study the TMJ problem, and come up with a list of possible solutions, stretches and exercises to help you alleviate the pain as much as possible without reverting to surgery or medication. Drugs will only mask the pain, and surgery is non-reversible.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment by calling 1 720-408-7355 or email us using the form at the side of the screen.