What is TMJ?
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TMJ is an acronym commonly used to label a jaw problem called temporomandibular joint disorder. Your temporomandibular, or jaw joint, is one of the more complex functioning parts of your body.
If you take a few seconds to think about all that your jaw joint does - realistically you need it to do anything and everything you do with your mouth - it’s no surprise that, if it isn’t functioning properly, it could cause some issues. Your jaw joint doesn’t just flex (open) and extend (close) like your elbow, or just rotate like your shoulder or hip, it does both. |
Cushioned by discs, connected by ligaments, controlled by muscles, and chock full of nerves associated with your face, head, and neck, your TMJ is a key piece of your skeletal structure.
What causes TMJ?
TMJ can be caused by many of the following circumstances or combinations of them.
Regardless of the cause, the tight, over-worked jaw muscles are major contributors to the often painful symptoms of TMJ.
If your jaw joint isn’t functioning smoothly, it causes the muscles surrounding it to work overly hard. Over time, they become strained, tight and stressed. When this occurs, two things can take place:
- You may have inherited a too-narrow jaw from your parents
- An injury could have impacted how your teeth bite together
- Damaged teeth may be causing a bite misalignment
- If you had allergies as a child, they could have impacted your jaw development
- Poor posture can change your head carriage and strain your jaw
- Stress induced tooth grinding or jaw clenching could be causing tension in your jaw joint and the muscles associated with it
Regardless of the cause, the tight, over-worked jaw muscles are major contributors to the often painful symptoms of TMJ.
If your jaw joint isn’t functioning smoothly, it causes the muscles surrounding it to work overly hard. Over time, they become strained, tight and stressed. When this occurs, two things can take place:
- The tired jaw muscles recruit other muscles close to them - the ones of your face, head, shoulders, and especially the upper neck - to help with the workload. As they begin to tire, symptoms such as neck pain, aching shoulders, a sore back or postural problems can begin to manifest.
- The tight jaw muscles can begin to put the squeeze on the nerves that run through them. These impacted nerves can send referred pain - pain that originates in one part of the body but is felt elsewhere - that can be felt as headaches, migraines, jaw pain, ear ringing or congestion, or face pain.
How is TMJ treated by a chiropractor?
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The first step in relieving TMJ pain is to relax your jaw muscles. That’s where your chiropractor comes in.
Chiropractic treatment for TMJ can help to relieve built up muscle tension around your jaw joints using specific chiropractic trigger point therapy. A trigger point is a sensitive cluster of muscle fibers. They often feel like knots, and can be very painful or twitch when pressure is applied. When TMJ pain is the result of improper posture or a back problem, your chiropractor will perform chiropractic adjustments and other treatments to improve the health of your spinal joints, and help bring your spine into better alignment. In addition to specific chiropractic adjustments, trigger point therapy may also be used to relieve tight muscles in your back. |
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Another culprit of TMJ can be the very first vertebrae of your spine, at the nape of the neck. It’s called the Atlas and it is different for the rest of your vertebrae. Your Atlas has no spiny protrusion like the rest of your vertebrae. Instead it is shaped like a butterfly to cradle your skull. This shape gives the Atlas great mobility, but less stability. TMJ dysfunction has been shown to be closely associated with TMJ pain and dysfunction.
Because of this shape, it needs support, which it gets from the muscles of your head and neck, and the position your jaw. If there are problems associated with these muscles, your Atlas can quite easily twist out of position.
Some people feel no pain as result while, for others, it can be the source of their TMJ pain. Through chiropractic adjustments, Dr Boyne can guide your Atlas back into place to relieve your symptoms.
Because of this shape, it needs support, which it gets from the muscles of your head and neck, and the position your jaw. If there are problems associated with these muscles, your Atlas can quite easily twist out of position.
Some people feel no pain as result while, for others, it can be the source of their TMJ pain. Through chiropractic adjustments, Dr Boyne can guide your Atlas back into place to relieve your symptoms.
Learn more about TMJ treatment
TMJ can be a complex problem and it is often difficult to diagnose. The best way to get on the road to TMJ treatment is to find a healthcare professional that is qualified to diagnose the root cause of the problem. In many cases, it’s a team effort that includes your chiropractor, your dentist and your medical doctor.
The good news? With effective TMJ treatment pain reduction and, in many cases, a permanent solution can be found.
The good news? With effective TMJ treatment pain reduction and, in many cases, a permanent solution can be found.
