Have you ever experienced a sudden discomfort in your jaw? If you experience persistent discomfort and issues with your jaws, you are not alone. You might be experiencing TMJD, also known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
In fact, it is more common than you think, affecting many individuals globally. In this article, we will explore how chiropractic care can help manage TMJD and other kinds of jaw pain, providing you with relief and increased jaw functions.
Understanding TMJD
TMJD is the inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects your skull and mandible. The muscles around the joints enable us to close and open our mouths, as well as move our jaws from left to right.
Individuals with TMJD often experience pain or discomfort in their jaws, leading to shoulder and neck soreness, headaches, and earaches. Additionally, they also find it difficult to chew, yawn, and even talk.
Some other signs of TMJD include:
- Ringing in your ears
- Facial swelling on one side
- Facial pain that is similar to a toothache
- Clicking sound when you open your mouth
- Difficulty closing or opening your mouth
- Jaw pain when yawning or chewing
- Headache
TMJD is more common than people think, affects 20 to 30 per cent of adults, and is typically caused by unhealthy habits and disorders, such as:
- Degenerative joint diseases: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Traumatic jaw injuries: Whiplash or heavy blow
- Poor habits: Excessive nail biting, grinding of teeth, and bruxism
TMJD, while not a severe condition, can certainly affect our overall quality of life. The discomfort and pain affect our ability to eat and talk properly, making it harder to smile, converse with others, and enjoy meals. Some even develop sleeping issues due to the discomfort. Hence, TMJD certainly dampens our quality of life significantly.
Chiropractic care for TMJD
Chiropractic care is able to unlock your spinal health and performance, which in turn is able to alleviate some of the discomfort and pain associated with TMJD. Of course, there are methods and techniques that your chiropractor might employ to target TMJD specifically, such as:
- Manual adjustments: Your chiropractor will align your joints to provide relief.
- Tools for adjustments:Your chiropractor might employ the use of tools, such as an activator, to target specific muscles and joints.
- E-Stim therapy: Using tiny electrical pulses, this physical therapy helps to lessen discomfort and pain while stimulating muscle relaxation.
- Rehabilitative exercises: We educate our patients on various jaw and neck exercises and stretches they can do at home.
How Healing Hands Chiropractic can relieve TMJD discomfort and pain
Healing Hands Chiropractic focuses on improving joint mobility and reducing inflammation and pain through various therapies, rehabilitative exercises, and adjustments.
1. Reducing inflammation and pain
Our team of experienced chiropractors uses precise and gentle techniques to align the jaw joints and any other related areas, effectively reducing both inflammation and pain associated with TMJD. This accurate alignment will relieve some of the tension in the jaw muscles, contributing to increased comfort in your daily life.
2. Improved joint function and mobility
Chiropractic care will also help to optimise jaw joint function and mobility, allowing those with TMJD to have a seamless range of motion. The boosted flexibility will aid in facilitating daily activities, such as yawning, talking, and eating, free from discomfort.
3. Rehabilitative therapies and exercises
Chiropractic care is beneficial in managing pain and discomfort. However, what you do after the treatment will help you maintain the change and promote recovery. Here are some simple therapies, exercises, and stretches that you can do on your own:
- Gentle jaw exercises: Simple jaw exercises, such as stretching your jaw muscles, moving your jaw from left to right, and closing and opening your mouth gently, help to reduce muscle tension and boost jaw mobility.
- Cold therapy:Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel or cloth, then apply it to the affected side for up to 15 minutes several times daily. Cold therapy helps to numb the area and reduce inflammation.
- Heat therapy:Apply a moist heat pack or a warm compress to the affected side for up to 20 minutes several times daily. Heat therapy helps to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and relax the muscles.
- Posture correction:Whether sitting or standing, having a correct posture is vital. Poor posture often results in the straining of jaw and neck muscles. Focus on maintaining a good posture throughout the day to help relieve unnecessary stress on your jaw joints.
- Self-care education: Our chiropractors will provide adequate guidance on modifying your lifestyle, such as relaxation techniques to help reduce stress, using a mouth guard when you sleep to prevent teeth grinding, and avoiding chewy or hard foods.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, chiropractic care serves as an ideal alternative treatment to medication and surgery. Through the precise application of adjustment and manipulation techniques, our chiropractors are able to treat, relieve, and facilitate recovery for TMJD.
Here at Healing Hands Chiropractic, we have seen and treated a diverse range of musculoskeletal conditions, from frozen shoulder treatment to lower back pain treatment. As more people are spending prolonged periods at work, we also offer an incredible corporate wellness program for businesses that are looking to boost the wellness of their workforce.
So, whether you are looking for TMJD treatment or knee pain treatment, our chiropractors are able to provide you with the relief you need. So, get started on a pain-free life today! Contact us to find out more!
