TMJ/TMD

Symptoms by body part:

Mandibular region (Jaw)
Acute/Chronic Pain
Clicking/Popping
Reduction in Range of Motion
Cervical Paraspinal (Side of Neck)
Muscle Tightness

What is TMJ/TMD?

Temporandibular disorder is a condition that involves the muscles and joints of mastication, or chewing.  This region is made up of the Temporomandibular Joint, which contains a soft cartilaginous disc that lies between the condyle of the mandible and a socket in the temporal bone, four surrounding muscles (Masseter, Temporalis, Lateral Pterygoid and Medial Pterygoid muscles) and is primarily controlled by Cranial Nerve Five, or the Trigeminal nerve.  The proximity of the TMJ is very close to your ear and the C1 vertebrae, often relating to one another.

TMJ Symptoms:

  • Clicking or popping of the jaw
  • Ear ache
  • Pain in the face or jaw
  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Pain at the base of the skull, usually on the side of related TMJ symptoms
  • Pain while chewing or yawning
  • Neck Pain
  • Upper back/shoulder pain

Treatment Options:

  • An evaluation by your dentist to ensure that it’s not due to a related tooth alignment or condition
  • Orthotics fit to realign jaw motion can be helpful for many individuals
  • Chiropractic Neurology care
  • Physical Therapy

What causes TMJ?

  • Traumatic Injury
  • Chronic head tilt
  • Misalignments in the upper cervical spine (base of skull)
  • Postural (Anterior head positioning), often from computer usage or work. 
  • Tooth misalignment

What can Chiropractic Neurological care do for me?

Once we have determined the source of your problem, we will then devise a treatment plan to retrain normal TMJ function.  This may include, but is not limited to:

  • Cervical and thoracic adjustments
  •  Myofascial release of the TMJ muscles
  • Proprioceptive retraining of the muscle spindles and golgi tendon organs surrounding the joint
  • Cold laser therapy
  • Muscle stim
  • Referral to dental specialist
  • @ home strengthening exercise
  • Neurological retraining of jaw alignment

We have excellent results with many of these cases as we are able to establish treatment from a neurological, chiropractic and physical rehabilitation standpoint