Can Chiropractic Care help TMJ Pain?

The TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) can become one those areas that makes an annoying clicking sounds to one that brings on excruciating headaches and face pain. It is the main joint that connect your jaw to your skull and has many ligaments, muscles and nerves associated with the region. Most common causes of Jaw pain are due to stress, trauma, arthritis, grinding your teeth, clenching or joint dysfunction.

What are Symptoms of TMJ?

• Neck pain
• Headaches or Migraines
• Ear or Tooth Aches
• Face pain when chewing or biting
• Tenderness in the area, face jaw or neck
• Pain when opening the mouth
• Clicking or popping jaw sounds
• Ear ringing
• Dizziness

How Chiropractic Care Helps TMJ pain

Chiropractic Adjustments

Our Chiropractors may use adjustments on your jaw if we see there is a need to. Most of the times only 5 to 10% of cases need to be adjusted as muscles in the area are usually the main problem.

Exercises or Stretches

We recommend certain exercises or stretches to help alleviate tension within the region. Usually due to the extreme tightness within the jaw gentle stretches and exercises can help out allot, especially with preventing flareups of the region.

Massage or Trigger Point Therapy

Chiropractors may use soft tissue release techniques especially trigger points in the area as muscle bundles tend to form. Surrounding musculature may also be involved and will be treated accordingly based on the examination findings.

Postural Issues / Sleeping Habits

Our Chiropractors will also look at your posture and check for any related issues to the problem. Sleeping habits and lifestyle changes such as standing desks or better sitting ergonomics can go a long way especially with upper body tension and tightness.

Tips To Help Reduce TMJ pain

• Using Heat or Ice packs help to relax the facial muscles surrounding the TMJ area.
• Gentle Stretches to the area can help improve joint mobility (Open, close and side to side movements)
• Changes to sleeping habits (Change Pillows)

Note* If you are currently suffering from any problematic concerns such as jaw pain, neck or back pain, are wondering what we do on your first chiropractic session or would like to make a booking, you can always contact us to find out more! Online bookings available 7 days a week Saturdays and Sundays @ https://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now

Visit our Broadmeadows, Westmeadows or Fawkner Health Clinic Today!