Can a Chiropractor Help with TMJ
Oftentimes, we are forced to deal with indescribable pain or conditions, which have resulted through no fault of our own. Some conditions develop as a result of daily bad habits and others as a result of genetic predispositions. Regardless of the reason for your discomfort, working with the chiropractic professionals at RxWellness Spine & Health can help alleviate your pain or condition. For example, many people are suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, and do not realize the potential benefits of working with a chiropractor. If you are wondering, can a chiropractor help with TMJ, then this is how.
What is TMJ Disorder
Temporomandibular Joint disorder or TMJ is a painful condition that occurs when the shock-absorbing disc, which stops the bones from painfully interacting with the joint, erodes. This cartilage is important for keeping the movement of the jaw smooth. However, when it is damaged or errored, movement of the jaw can become painful or difficult. The pain associated with TMJ may be the result of factors that range anywhere from genetic to physical complications.
What Causes TMJ Disorder
The exact cause of TMJ is unclear, but it is characterized as an erosion of the small shock-absorbing disk between the bone and the joint. There are various reasons why the cartilage may erode. For example, the joint cartilage may become damaged by arthritis or a strike to the face. Some common factors that people diagnosed with TMJ share are pain in the jaw, face, and ear. As, soon as you begin experiencing pain or discomfort, it is important to seek chiropractic help to reduce discomfort.
Oftentimes daily habits and situations greatly influence our overall health and wellbeing. For example, some of the causes of TMJ that may be within your control are:
- Poor posture in the neck and upper back
- Stress or Anxiety (It is important to find healthy ways to manage stress)
- Constant and excessive gum chewing
Other times, genetic and environmental factors make a strong contribution to your overall health. Some causes of TMJ that may be outside your control are:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis
- Teeth Grinding or Clenching
- Jaw Injury
- Connective tissue disease
Symptoms of TMJ
It is difficult to determine the specific cause of TMJ, because it is usually a combination of various factors that express themselves differently, but some of the most common symptoms include:
- Pain around the ear
- Chewing is Painful
- Aching pain throughout the face
- The jaw locks and it may become difficult to open the mouth
- Tenderness in the jaw
- Pain in the jaw
- A clicking sound when the mouth is opened and closed
- Poppin the ear
- Lockjaw
How to Typically Treat TMJ Disorder
The symptoms of TMJ can sometimes be managed by using home remedies. Some ways to ease the pain and discomfort are:
- Ice pack to the face
- Avoid chewing gum
- Stretch and massage the muscles in the neck
RxWellness Spine & Health and How Our Chiropractor Helps With TMJ
If the pain and discomfort of TMJ becomes too difficult to manage at home, then it is important to seek chiropractic care to help alleviate the pain symptoms. At RxWellness Spine and Health, our massage therapists and chiropractors work together to provide the best possible outcome for our patients. The chiropractors may do some stretches for the neck and jaw area to loosen up the muscles. Relaxing the muscles is a very effective way of relieving pain. The chiropractor may also recommend massage therapy or various other types of muscle relaxing techniques. They are always available to provide options to effectively reduce the painful symptoms of your condition.
At RxWellness Spine & Health, our number one priority is understanding our patients’ list of presented symptoms and then recommending treatment options to reduce them. When you first meet with one of our chiropractors, you will have a brief consultation about the reason for your visit, your list of symptoms, and your concerns. You are encouraged to be as detailed as possible and leave nothing out, no matter how insignificant you think it might be. With your consent, the chiropractor might also want to complete an X-ray. This will allow them to get a better sense of what is happening with your bones and joints. This way they can create a customizable treatment plan that effectively treats the condition and relieves the pain.
Chiropractic care is also a great choice for dealing with TMJ because it revolves around the philosophy of drug-free, non-invasive treatment. When working with one of the chiropractors at RxWellness Spine & Health, they will never prescribe or recommend medication because the goal of chiropractic treatment is to heal the condition, not numb the symptoms.
So, if you are looking for treatment options for TMJ that does not require the use of drugs or surgery, then you will truly enjoy the benefits of working with a chiropractor. At RxWellness Spine & Health, we have been serving the Northern Virginia area for over 23 years, and our chiropractor helps with TMJ by treating the root cause of the condition, which then alleviates the symptoms. We constantly strive to provide the best quality of care for all our patients using the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment information available. You can relax knowing you are in good hands while working with one of our qualified chiropractors and licensed massage therapists.
Contact RxWellness Spine & Health
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of Temporomandibular Joint disorder and how working with a chiropractor can help alleviate symptoms. For some people, TMJ can be a very painful disorder and source of constant pain. So, It is important to take an active role in your treatment process and begin working with a qualified professional as soon as possible to reduce your discomfort. If you are still wondering, can a chiropractor help with TMJ, then hopefully this has cleared that up. If you have any questions or would like to book a consultation, give us a call at 1+(703) 904 9666 or book an appointment online.