Blog#33: Chiropractic and the Temporomandibular Joint ( TMJ)
Temporomandibular joint problems are common in the U.
S. Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include
jaw pain, aching in and around the ear, difficulty or discomfort while chewing,
facial pain, headaches, locking of the jaw, difficulty opening or closing the
mouth, clicking when opening the mouth or chewing. Anyone can develop TMJ problems, but women
between the ages of 20 and 40 are the most frequent sufferers. Causes recognized by allopathic medicine
include head trauma, arthritic changes in the joint, and wear and/or
dislocation of the joint. Chiropractic
recognizes other causes, including malposition (subluxation) of the joint without
dislocation, high levels of toxicity, malnutrition, substance abuse, and mental
or emotional stress.
Allopathic medicine and dentistry primarily offers TMJ
syndrome sufferers painkillers, surgery, mouth guards, and orthodontia. For decades chiropractic physicians have used
massage and manipulation of the TMJ, along with stretching and relaxation
exercises. Many chiropractors also
approach TMJ dysfunction with nutritional guidance, acupuncture therapy, and
suggestions for lifestyle changes. Improved posture and breathing patterns,
meditation, hypnosis and self-hypnosis, and biofeedback also often can help
correct TMJ problems. Depending on the
cause of the problem, one approach or group of approaches may be more effective.
One technique which can sometimes temporarily help
alleviate TMJ pain, and which is safe to teach through this blog involves
lightly and simultaneously touching the areas just above both mandibular angles
with the index fingers. The fingers are held lightly in place until a faint
pulsation is felt coming from both points of contact. The contact is then held for 15 seconds and
released. The mind must be completely quiet in order to detect the pulse in
this technique, which is part of a much larger therapeutic approach I have used
in my office for 35 years with great success. Below is a link which shows pictures and the location of the angle of the
mandible. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angle_of_the_mandible
This blog’s offer:
call my office to schedule a free consultation to assess the condition of your
temporomandibular joint. I will
test for and discuss with you the nature of the problem and let you know if I
can help. As part of my program of TMJ
therapy, I teach people how to adjust their own TMJ’s and teach them how to address this
dysfunction in other ways as well, such as maintaining proper posture and
breathing, improving nutrition, and using self-hypnosis.