Unrelieving headaches, many times accompanied with jaw and ear soreness are sometimes caused by an overlooked condition that involves abnormal alignment of the jaw. This condition is called TMJ.
So What Is In A Name?
The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is made up of the joining of the mandible or jawbone, and the skull. These complex joints are one of the most frequently used joints in your body! Like other joints in your body, this joint is a hinge type joint and is susceptible to problems.
What Is That Noise?
TMJ dysfunction can result in popping, clicking or grinding sounds when the jaw is opened and closed. Other signs include sharp or dull and constant discomfort each time you swallow, yawn, talk, or chew. The aches may be localized over the joint, right in front of the ear, but can also branch out to the temple, cheek, lower jaw and teeth. Some sufferes get ringing in their ears or an experience a headache that does not improve with over the counter medications.
Causes of TMJ Dysfunction
Overuse of any joint can cause joint dysfunction, and the jaw joint is no exception. Often without paying attention, many of us tighten our jaws and clench our teeth in an unconscious response to stress in our daily lives. This unrelenting clenching can cause the muscles to be overused leading to misalignments of the joint.
TMJ dysfunction can also be brought about by a variety of other things. Simple activities, like excessive gum chewing, fatigues the jaw and strains the muscles and tendon attachments and may bring about TMJ dysfunction. Or, it may be from trauma to the neck, as in a car crash, where your head is suddenly thrown backwards, which stretches the muscles under the jaw to the maximum and may sprain many of the tiny ligaments that attach the jaw to the skull.
TMJ dysfunction: Not a Surprise
Other medical professionals, such as dentists, have been aware of TJM dysfunction, and its results. Medical literature supports that TMJ dysfunction can affect more than just the jaw joint itself and those affected can experience things such as headaches, neck pain and even pain across the shoulders. The literature also shows that these issues have been resolved when the TMJ dysfunction is corrected.
A Simple TMJ Self Test
You can assess your TMJ joint your self by placing your fingers on your jaw joints that are located just in front of you ears. Once your fingers are in place, slowly open and shut your jaw as if you are chewing, and pay attention to popping sensations.
You should not hear clicking or popping as the TMJ moves through its complete range of motion. Sometimes this noise can even be heard by people close to you. Other times it can only be felt as a lack of smooth movement and you might be the only one who can hear it. Any sort of popping, grinding and clicking of your jaw joint indicate that it is not functioning correctly.
Did You Notice Positive Results?
Any unusual noises in our jaws is not something to endure, and a professional assessment is the best action to take.
Lack of attention to these issues has caused a great deal of suffering for patients as they began suffering from constant headaches and unrelenting jaw pain. The worst case scenarios that often occur secondary to delayed treatment involves surgery, all which could have been prevented with early treatment.
Can I Get Better Again?
Hope lies in seeking assessment and treatment from your dentist or favorite chiropractor. Your dentist?s treatment may include a mouth splint that prevents you from being able to grind your teeth, which can alleviate the issue. The chiropractic assessment is an important component of TMJ treatment. While the mouth guard helps the teeth grinding component, it does not address the muscular issues that often accompany TMJ dysfunction.
Effective Treatment for TMJ is an ART
One of the best techniques used by chiropractors for the treatment of TMJ is the Active Release Technique (ART) ? a treatment protocol that involves active therapy to the muscles and ligaments for the restoration of normal function. The use of ART will eliminate scar tissue adhesions in dysfunctional muscles that cause alterations in normal joint motion and function, allowing normal function to be restored.
TMJ suffers are not alone!
If you are experiencing the symptoms of TMJ, call and make an appointment. A chiropractor can help you determine whether TMJ is the reason cause or whether it is the result of some other condition. Either way, they can help get you out of pain and bring that smile back to your face.
If you are looking for a Houston Clear Lake chiropractor, contact Dr. Alice Sexton at HealthSource of Clear Lake. Dr. Sexton can help remove your TMJ-related pain. As an introductory offer, Dr. Sexton is offering 50% off an first examination. Call 281-286-2229 to set your examination today.
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Tags: Chiropractic, Chiropractor, dental alternative, Headache, Health, jaw, jaw pain, pain relief, Temporomandibular joint disorder, TMJ, TMJ Headaches