Can a Chiropractor Help with My TMJ? What you need to know about chiropractic TMJ treatments.
The TMJ--temporomandibular joint--connects your skull and your jaw together. It can become inflamed and shift out of alignment, causing a great deal of pain affecting your face, jaws, ears and head. Because of this, TMJ problems are a common cause of .jpg)
headaches. You will be happy to know relief is close by, at the office of your chiropractors, Drs. James, R. Brent and Doug Newcomb of Newcomb Chiropractic Clinic in Broken Arrow, OK.
TMJ symptoms can be diverse and include: aching facial and ear pain; difficulty chewing; jaw tenderness; and clicking or locking when you open and close your mouth.
Your Broken Arrow chiropractors can suggest home remedies which might be helpful, such as:
- Ice packs applied to your face
- Massaging your jaw muscles gently
- Taking over-the-counter pain relieving medications
He will also recommend some lifestyle changes to limit the stress on your muscles and jaw joint. You should try not to clench your teeth or chew gum. Also try to eat soft food--nothing chewy or sticky. You might also try sleeping on your side, to support your head and neck.
Treatment of your TMJ problem will emphasize relieving tense muscles around the joint by using trigger point massage. Trigger points are bunches of muscle fibers that can feel like a hard knot. Massage helps to soften and relax the muscles and tendons near the TMJ.
He will also check your posture, spine and neck and do spinal adjustments to help align your body and your jaw. If your neck and spine are in alignment, it will help align your jaw correctly, reducing stress on your TMJ.
You will be shown jaw exercises to help reduce the stiffness in your TMJ and allow for greater jaw mobility. Relaxation, deep breathing techniques, and guided imagery can help you to deal with the discomfort from TMJ issues.
If you have TMJ issues, instead of invasive surgery or uncomfortable splints, you owe it to yourself to try a natural method of healing. You need to see Drs. R. Brent and Doug Newcomb of Newcomb Chiropractic Clinic in Broken Arrow, OK. You deserve relief from the pain of TMJ, so call today and feel better!