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TMJ

image of man in pain pressing his fingers against his jaw

The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull. Up to 10 million people suffer from painful temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Symptoms include pain in the face and neck, locked jaw or limited jaw movement, painful clicking when moving the mouth, dizziness, difficulty chewing or swallowing and a change in the way the teeth fit together. TMD is about four times more common in women than men.

Causes

TMD has many causes, some physical, some emotional. A jaw injury, such as one caused by a car accident or being hit hard by a ball, can lead to TMD. Degenerative joint disease is another leading physical cause of TMD.

Emotional stress can cause behaviors that lead to TMD, such as clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth.

Conventional Treatment

You can manage TMD through medications or lifestyle interventions. Your doctor may recommend muscle relaxants or pain relievers. Certain types of antidepressants also relieve pain. If you clench your teeth at night, aggravating your TMD pain, your doctor might prescribe a sedative. These medications bring along a variety of side effects.

Other interventions don’t require drugs. Rest your jaws by eating soup or soft food. Avoid chewing gum. Firm or soft bite guards sometimes relieve pain, and keep you from grinding your teeth at night. Ice packs or moist heat can help. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen and stretch your jaw muscles.

If stress and anxiety are the cause of your TMD, try relaxation techniques. Mindfulness meditation, acupuncture, biofeedback, talking to a counselor or massage might help.

In extreme cases, some doctors recommend surgery to repair this joint.

Chiropractic Care and TMJ

Some patients with TMD find relief through chiropractic care. A chiropractor can manipulate your neck and jaw to improve alignment and relax muscle tension. Many chiropractors will also recommend special exercises, hot and cold treatment and other non-pharmaceutical interventions. Your chiropractor might team up with your dentist to provide the best care.

If you’re suffering from TMD, call us today so we can help ease your jaw pain.

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Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "I went to Fay-West with daily crippling headaches, neck pain, and jaw pain/a TMJ issue that was very severe in nature and I thought would never go away. The work that Dr. Tyger and the lovely nurses have done with aligning my back and strengthening my neck has changed my life- I went from having pain every single day to having none at all in just a short couple of weeks, something I didn't know was possible.The staff and doctors at Fay-West are friendly and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend going to see Dr. Tyger (or Dr. Homonai) if you have any pain at all. I promise you won't regret it!"
    Megan Lint / Facebook Reviews
  • "I just completed the Chiro Thin weight loss program and lost 26 pounds in 6 weeks. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to lose weight. The program is easy to follow and really works. The staff at Fay West Chiropractic was always nice and friendly. Dr. Tyger is the best! He was always very supportive and encouraging. I never felt like I was on my own. He was always there to answer my questions and guide me. Thank you Dr. Tyger and Fay West Chiropractic for a great experience."
    Sue Veychek / Facebook Reviews