TMJ Disorders—Identifying and Treating a Growing Condition

TMJ disorders are a common problem in the United States, and while many do not seek relief care, the NIH reports that an estimated 10 million Americans are dealing with this painful condition. While some may see a reduction in symptoms with time and self-relief, others deal with long-term pain. How can you tell if you are dealing with a TMJ disorder and what natural relief options are available?

Diagnosing TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the basically the hinge that attaches the lower jaw to the rest of the head. We use it for speaking, chewing, and making facial expressions. While jaw pain is the primary symptoms of a TMJ disorder, what else identifies this condition?

• Pain that radiates from jaw, neck, and/or face
• Stiff jaw muscles
• Limited range of jaw movement
• Popping, clicking, or grating sound accompanies movement of the jaw
• Top and bottom teeth are no longer aligned properly with each other (not for orthodontic reasons)

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and TMJ download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

TMJ disorders can make it difficult to eat some of your favorite foods (steak, bagels, etc.), and can even make speaking a chore. What can be done to help this condition without reaching for a bottle of pain pills?

Natural TMJ Relief Options

First of all, there are several things that you can do on your own to lessen pain:

• Eat softer foods for a time – Jaw pain may resolve if given a chance to rest.
• Use ice – Ice reduces swelling. Be sure to cover the ice pack with a towel rather than having direct skin contact and only use ice for about 20 minutes at a time.
• Limit wide jaw movements – This may mean avoiding things like singing for a time.
• Reduce stress – Some research has linked jaw pain to stress. Stress-reducing techniques may help improve pain.
• Gentle stretches – Stretching the jaw gently can gradually restore range of motion.

I also want to recommend that you come and see us at Read Health Center, especially if your jaw pain does not resolve within a couple of weeks. Sometimes, an upper cervical misalignment can be the underlying factor that is causing the jaw and facial muscles to tense up. Correcting the misalignment may thus reduce or eliminate TMJ pain.

About the Author

Dr. Barbara Read

Ames Chiropractor

When I first heard about NUCCA care, I thought it was too good to be true. But there I was in Chicago, a new chiropractor, with an opportunity to train with a master of this form of care, Dr. Marshall Dickholtz, Sr., and I took him up on his offer to train me. I was astounded by the number of people coming through the door seeking help for all kinds of problems. People who had been everywhere else, had seen everyone else, and had tried everything else. I couldn’t deny that this system of healing was working. It was gentle. It was stable. I wasn’t used to seeing patients hold their corrections like this.