Taking Care of your TMJ

Eating, talking, yawning, sneezing – they’re things we do every day without a second thought. But for those with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, these simple movements can be difficult and painful.

Your TMJ is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull, located just in front of your ears, and surrounded by a network of muscles and ligaments. Like any joint, it can shift out of alignment, become inflamed, or develop chronic issues.

If left untreated, TMJ problems may lead to headaches, earaches, neck pain, and difficulty chewing. While painkillers may provide temporary relief, they don’t address the dysfunction causing the pain, which is where chiropractic care for TMJ helps (1).

Common Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction

TMJ pain may be the most obvious sign of temporomandibular disorder, but you may also notice that you are:

• Having difficulties chewing food, such as frequently biting the inside of your mouth
• Experiencing popping or clicking sounds, when you move your jaw
• Unable to open your mouth as widely as normal (you should be able to insert three fingers between your teeth, when your mouth is fully open)
• Troubled by jaw spasms, or your jaw joint may even lock into the wrong position so that you feel like you are talking out the side of your mouth!

What Causes TMJ Issues?

TMJ dysfunction may result from any or a combination of the following:

• Poor posture – A forward head posture can put strain on jaw and surrounding muscles.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism) – Often linked to stress, grinding puts excessive pressure on the joint.
• Disturbed sleep patterns – Resulting in clenching and grinding of the jaw.
• Injury or trauma – A blow to the face, whiplash, or even prolonged dental work can impact alignment.
• Arthritis – In some cases, arthritis can lead to TMJ problems (2).
• Hormonal shifts – Pregnancy, for example, causes ligament laxity, which can increase the risk of jaw misalignment. One of our patients visited us after a violent sneezing fit while pregnant resulted in TMJ issues!

It’s not surprising therefore to know that women tend to experience TMJ disorder at least twice as often as men. It can affect between 5% to 12% of the population, and unusually, it is more commonly seen in younger people aged 20-40 (3).

What does Chiropractic Therapy involve?

Our Brisbane chiropractor is able to assess your jaw alignment and overall posture, as well as provide TMJ treatment. The goal is to relieve the symptoms, as well as to address the underlying issues to prevent it from recurring.

Depending on your specific problem, chiropractic treatment may include:

• Gentle manual adjustments like joint mobilisation or soft tissue therapy, to help realign the jaw and increase range of movement.
• Targeted at-home exercises to alleviate pain and improve the function of the jaw.
• Lifestyle modification advice, such as postural corrections.

How to Look After Your TMJ

Help prevent pain and dysfunction in the future by taking care of your TMJ today with our top tips:

• Maintain good posture – Keep your head aligned over your shoulders to reduce strain.
• Avoid excessive chewing, eg gum – This can overwork your jaw muscles.
• Be mindful of your eating habits – Choose softer foods if your jaw is feeling sensitive.
• Relax your jaw – If you catch yourself clenching, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth to remind your jaw to stay relaxed.
• Apply heat or cold – Warm compresses help ease muscle tension, while ice helps reduce inflammation.

Access Chiropractic Care for TMJ Pain Today

Based in Brisbane and looking for a chiropractor for TMJ issues? Equilibrium Family Wellness is here to help you find relief! Book an appointment with our experienced chiropractor Richard Kashmiri today.

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1556370715000802
2. https://www.dental.theclinics.com/article/S0011-8532(04)00139-9/abstract
3. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/facial-pain/prevalence