The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the term for the paired joints between the upper and lower jaws. Problems with your jaw and the muscles in your face that control it are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the term TMJ (after the joint) is also commonly used in place of the term TMD to describe the pain or other dysfunction of these same joints.
The jaw is a hinge joint connecting the mandible or jaw to the skull and is surrounded by numerous pairs of muscles immediately in front of the ear on each side of the head. They allow you to chew, yawn, speak, and swallow, and are in constant use.
This joint is one of the most frequently used in the body. You can locate it by placing a finger in your ear and pushing forward while opening and closing your mouth. The articular disk separates the condyle head of the mandible and the skull. When this disk is misplaced, it will cause temporalmandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Studies show about 1/3 of the American population has TMJ disorders.
If you have TMJ, a common symptom could be having a limited range of motion within the joint. Every time you open and close your mouth you put wear on the tissues of the joint. This can cause severe problems if not treated properly.
A self exam that assesses range of mobility in your jaw can be conducted by holding your palm vertically with your thumb facing the ceiling. Flex your index finger so it is out of the way. Open your mouth as wide as you can without strain or pain and place the three remaining fingers (middle, ring, and pinky) between your upper and lower teeth. If all three fingers cannot fit easily, and you experience pain, it is possible you have TMJ. If there is no pain and it doesn’t affect how or what you eat, then the diagnosis is probably negative.
Commonly, TMJ is accompanied by noises such as clicking, grinding, or crunching when you open and close your mouth. The articular disk is fitted so that the condyle head of the mandible can slide smoothly up and down. The clicking noise will occur when the condyle head is not in the proper fitted position and passes over the ridge of the disk. As the bone passes over the ridge, it will cause a click or pop that can lock the jaw in either the open or closed position and usually requires a manual adjustment to dislodge it back into normal working order. The grinding or crunching noises occur when there is bone on bone contact within the joint. If the articular disk is completely out of place or has worn through, the jawbone will move on its hinge, but in direct contact with the skull. This can be caused by arthritis wearing away the cartilage of the bones.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms can be caused by an injury to the joint, improper alignment of the jaw and teeth, overuse due to excessive or vigorous chewing, or the action of orthodontics. Habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth, especially while sleeping, can also cause or aggravate symptoms.
Besides loss in range of mobility and other symptoms, TMJ can lead to pain that radiates to the face, head, neck and shoulders. Some chronic sufferers experience headaches, dizziness, earaches and even difficulty hearing.
TMJ disorders have various causes. Misaligned or missing teeth can force the bone out of its proper position. Trauma from a fall or car crash can do the same thing. Whiplash is a very common cause of TMJ. Many times stress results in a grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw. This can overstrain the muscles and cause serious pain. That pain can flow throughout your face, neck, and head causing various symptoms and discomfort. TMJ may often appear with symptoms such as headaches and earaches.
Initial treatment for a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can include applying heat or cold to the jaw area, eating mostly soft foods, taking anti-inflammatory drugs, or wearing a bite guard in the mouth at night. If these methods are unsuccessful, many patients resort to dental treatments to modify the bite or even surgery of the jaw.
For individuals experiencing symptoms of TMJ, receiving treatment from a qualified chiropractor can help as an alternative to those more invasive treatments.
Chiropractic physicians are trained to correct ailments, due to bone misalignments, by examining all aspects of your lifestyle.
Chiropractic care is holistic care. The first step is a complete medical exam including your medical and family history, as well as life style habits, and daily routines. Your doctor will perform x-rays to see if your condyle head is incorrectly positioned. A posture evaluation is performed as well as palpation test to determine the severity of the disorder and the amount of mobility.
Your chiropractor will also create a TMJ treatment plan that excludes surgery and medication. An intra-oral orthotic, or splint, can be fitted into your upper or lower jaw, and is designed to reposition your condyle back into its normal position.
There are several muscle-relieving exercises, or stress-relieving therapies that may be diagnosed. Some of these therapies may include biofeedback, meditation, counseling, or massage. Treatments such as heat, ice, electric stimulation, and ultrasound are used as needed. The emphasis is on rehabilitation and return of motion through individually tailored programs.
Chiropractic care for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can ease pain by correcting the misalignment between the spine and nervous system. Chiropractic care can be effective at reducing the pain associated with TMJ, either when used alone or as a complement to other treatments. This is because it relaxes the muscles, adjusts the joint, and uses specific trigger points to accurately re-position the jaw. When done successfully, the method will not only relieve pain in the short run, as would medications or eating soft foods, but it will help prevent TMJ pain from returning.
Chiropractic treatment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) focuses on relieving tension in the muscles around the joints themselves–working both outside and inside the mouth–using massage and trigger point therapy. A trigger point is a very sensitive area made of muscle fibers. Trigger points feel like knots and may cause pain and may even produce a twitching response when pressure is applied to them. A chiropractor can manipulate trigger points in such a way as to alleviate the pain associated with them.
Adjustments to the joints can also be done by hand, using a technique that causes a tiny stretch inside the joint to release any fibrous attachments made by the body due to previous trauma. The chiropractor may also give the patient home exercises to help strengthen the joint and loosen the tight muscles.
In some cases, misalignment of the jaw that results from improper posture or a back problem to cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. An approach to treating TMJ caused by misalignment in the neck and upper back is to perform chiropractic adjustments on the spinal joint in these areas. In addition, a chiropractor may use massage to relieve tight muscles in the back around the spine. This reduces the amount of stress put on the jaw so that other treatments to adjust the jaw will be more effective.
When these treatments are employed, motion of the jaw joint can improve and symptoms such as ear pain, jaw locking, headaches, and neck pain can be greatly reduced.