Non-Surgical Treatment for Jaw Pain and TMJ Pain Relief
Tired of that annoying jaw popping and clicking?
Do you experience jaw pain when you chew?
Tired of the resulting head and neck pain?
Many patients come to us with symptoms of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder. Often they are referred to us by their oral health physicians to help prepare them for the fitting of occlusal appliances (oral splints or mouth guards). Some present with other symptoms like neck stiffness, ear or tooth pain, and headaches. TMJD symptoms and their affects on lifestyle can be unrelenting and longstanding. The good news is that many TMJ conditions respond well to conservative treatment like chiropractic care and massage, and do not require surgery. At Bellingham Spine and Disc we are happy to work in concert with your dentist or other oral health care professional to provide a long-term solution to your TMJD.
The symptoms of TMJD can be both varied and complex:
Do you experience jaw pain when you chew?
Tired of the resulting head and neck pain?
Many patients come to us with symptoms of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder. Often they are referred to us by their oral health physicians to help prepare them for the fitting of occlusal appliances (oral splints or mouth guards). Some present with other symptoms like neck stiffness, ear or tooth pain, and headaches. TMJD symptoms and their affects on lifestyle can be unrelenting and longstanding. The good news is that many TMJ conditions respond well to conservative treatment like chiropractic care and massage, and do not require surgery. At Bellingham Spine and Disc we are happy to work in concert with your dentist or other oral health care professional to provide a long-term solution to your TMJD.
The symptoms of TMJD can be both varied and complex:
- Difficulty fully opening the mouth
- Discomfort while chewing
- Mis-tracking, clicking or popping of the jaw
- Locking of the jaw
- Pain, asymmetry, tenderness in the jaw
- Aching pain in or around the ear
- Aching facial pain or nearly constant pain
- Headaches
- Uncomfortable bite
- Uneven bite (One or more teeth contact each other before the other teeth do.)
You may be experiencing one or more of these symptoms, which may worsen or ease over time. Many patients present with relatively mild forms of the disorder. For others, the condition causes long-term, relentless, and debilitating pain. Some patients also have other health problems that co-exist with TMJ disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances, migraine headaches or fibromyalgia. These disorders share some common symptoms and may also share similar underlying causes.
Causes of TMJ Pain and Jaw Pain
TMJ disorders can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the source of the problem may not even be the jaw itself. The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation recommends examination of the cervical spine in TMJD patients, even without cervical complaints. These findings are also supported by Cranio and Clinical Oral investigation. At Bellingham Spine and Disc, we are trained to examine the neck and jaw to determine the best course of co-managed care with oral health physicians. With proper care and treatment, TMJD patients can achieve pain relief and correction for your TMJ pain.
Here are some possible causes of TMJ pain and jaw pain:
Causes of TMJ Pain and Jaw Pain
TMJ disorders can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the source of the problem may not even be the jaw itself. The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation recommends examination of the cervical spine in TMJD patients, even without cervical complaints. These findings are also supported by Cranio and Clinical Oral investigation. At Bellingham Spine and Disc, we are trained to examine the neck and jaw to determine the best course of co-managed care with oral health physicians. With proper care and treatment, TMJD patients can achieve pain relief and correction for your TMJ pain.
Here are some possible causes of TMJ pain and jaw pain:
- Damage to tooth surfaces due to neglect or injury
- Poor alignment of the teeth or jaw when biting or chewing
- Overuse of muscles while chewing
- Frequent gum chewing
- Biting fingernails or pencils
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw clenching habit
- Frequent biting of the cheek or lip
- Thrusting the jaw out while speaking
- Various other frequent actions
- Loose or lost teeth that have led to jaw damage or poor alignment of the upper and lower jaws
- Disk erosion
- Rheumatic disease
- Jaw damaged by a blow or impact
- Bone and/or cartilage damaged by arthritis
- Trigger points in the muscle tissue cause myofascial pain syndrome
- Infections deep in the jaw
- Tumors
TMJ Pain and Jaw Pain Treatment in Bellingham, WA
Due to the complex array of factors that cause TMJ pain, it’s best to seek treatment with a highly trained professional. Most TMJ disorders are benign and respond well to chiropractic care. The chiropractors at Bellingham Spine and Disc can help determine the cause of your TMJ or jaw pain and symptoms. We can help you decide if chiropractic care for TMJ pain can help you.
Your chiropractic doctor at Bellingham Spine and Disc is specially trained to look for the root causes of your jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches. When you visit Bellingham Spine and Disc for your TMJ pain evaluation, we’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and you will receive top-notch care.
We’ll have an in-depth consultation about your possible TMJ pain or jaw pain. We’ll listen to the details of your health issue and record your health history. Then we’ll conduct a comprehensive neuromuscular jaw examination. Finally, through a complete analysis and review of the exam findings, we’ll create an individual treatment plan to alleviate your jaw pain. Then you can choose what works best for you before any treatment begins.
TMJD Protocol
An effective protocol we employ at Bellingham Spine and Disc includes an initial 30 minute session with intra and peri-oral massage. We focus on anterior and medial temporalis and masseter muscles outside, and the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles inside the mouth. A chiropractic evaluation of the jaw and cervical spine follows. The chiropractor will gently align the neck and jaw, and apply cold laser therapy to reduce the pain and swelling. Your dental care practitioner may refer you for this protocol before fitting you for an appliance, retainer, or mouth guard.
Due to the complex array of factors that cause TMJ pain, it’s best to seek treatment with a highly trained professional. Most TMJ disorders are benign and respond well to chiropractic care. The chiropractors at Bellingham Spine and Disc can help determine the cause of your TMJ or jaw pain and symptoms. We can help you decide if chiropractic care for TMJ pain can help you.
Your chiropractic doctor at Bellingham Spine and Disc is specially trained to look for the root causes of your jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches. When you visit Bellingham Spine and Disc for your TMJ pain evaluation, we’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and you will receive top-notch care.
We’ll have an in-depth consultation about your possible TMJ pain or jaw pain. We’ll listen to the details of your health issue and record your health history. Then we’ll conduct a comprehensive neuromuscular jaw examination. Finally, through a complete analysis and review of the exam findings, we’ll create an individual treatment plan to alleviate your jaw pain. Then you can choose what works best for you before any treatment begins.
TMJD Protocol
An effective protocol we employ at Bellingham Spine and Disc includes an initial 30 minute session with intra and peri-oral massage. We focus on anterior and medial temporalis and masseter muscles outside, and the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles inside the mouth. A chiropractic evaluation of the jaw and cervical spine follows. The chiropractor will gently align the neck and jaw, and apply cold laser therapy to reduce the pain and swelling. Your dental care practitioner may refer you for this protocol before fitting you for an appliance, retainer, or mouth guard.
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