Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause debilitating jaw pain and TMJ disorder, negatively impacting overall quality of life. If you suffer from common TMJ symptoms like severe jaw pain, popping/clicking sounds, limited jaw function, and chronic headaches, you may be experiencing a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The good news is that chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive approach to finding relief from these disruptive TMD symptoms.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how chiropractic treatments can help alleviate TMJ disorders, restore proper jaw function, manage associated jaw pain and neck pain, and prevent further complications. We aim to educate on the holistic benefits of chiropractic care so you can make informed decisions regarding your TMJ treatment options. At The Right Spinal Clinic, our experienced chiropractors develop personalized plans to tackle TMJ disorders at their root cause for lasting relief.
Chiropractic medicine focuses on the health of your entire body by addressing misalignments and dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system. It centers on the intimate relationship between your cervical spine and nervous system and how restoring proper alignment via chiropractic adjustment can improve nerve communication and healing.
For TMJ disorders, chiropractors use a combination of techniques like spinal adjustment, manual therapy, and soft tissue therapy to realign the cervical spine, relax tight jaw muscles, and address other contributing factors. This holistic approach sets chiropractic care apart from traditional TMJ treatments like pain medication, mouth guards and surgery - which only temporarily mask symptoms.
Spinal adjustments: Chiropractors perform precise manipulations called chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal alignment. To treat TMJ, adjustments are made to the upper neck vertebrae to restore mobility and reduce nerve irritation to alleviate pain in the temporomandibular joint and jaw muscles.
Manual therapy: Techniques like massage, trigger point therapy, and mobilizations are used to loosen tight jaw muscles and neck muscles. This helps relieve muscle tension, spasms and referred pain.
Soft tissue therapy: Methods like instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and stretching target muscles affected by TMJ like the masseter, temporalis and lateral pterygoid. This decreases restrictions and hypertonicity that lead to temporomandibular joint disorder.
The interconnected focus of chiropractic care is used to treat TMJ pain naturally and prevent the development or worsening of chronic pain. It is highly effective in managing the diverse symptoms of TMJ dysfunction in the following ways:
For best results, chiropractic care can be complemented by additional therapies and healthy lifestyle adjustments:
Chiropractic works well alongside other conservative therapies like physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, and dry needling. Your chiropractor for TMJ may advise specific exercises or stretches to do at home to enhance outcomes.
Adopting targeted lifestyle changes can also optimize TMJ recovery under chiropractic care. Your chiropractor may recommend stress management techniques, jaw-friendly diet tips such as eating soft foods, proper sleeping positions, and postural corrections to support chiropractic treatment.
At The Right Spinal Clinic, our chiropractors have advanced training in safely and effectively treating TMJ disorders. We take time to understand your unique condition and goals to develop a customized chiropractic plan to fit your needs. By addressing the root cause of your TMJ dysfunction through specialized spinal and jaw adjustments, soft tissue work, TMJ pain relief techniques and lifestyle coaching, we can help you reclaim comfort and quality of life.
Don’t live with disruptive TMJ pain and dysfunction any longer – contact us today at (813) 392 2164 to schedule a consultation! Our holistic chiropractic treatment can help you find relief.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorders, also called TMD, refer to any condition affecting one or both temporomandibular joints, causing TMJ pain and dysfunction of this joint and the surrounding muscles, nerves, and tissues.
Common symptoms include:
TMJ disorders can stem from a variety of factors, including:
A chiropractor can identify the underlying cause of your individual case through diagnostic methods like physical examination, imaging, and lab tests. Customized chiropractic treatment can then tackle the root issue for lasting TMJ pain relief and improved function.
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