How can a TMJ Chiropractor Alleviate Jaw Pain and Improve Function?

Most of the global population deals with jaw pain at some point in life. Many experience TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain, which causes pain and discomfort in the jaw. It can lead to further conditions like chronic headaches. If painkillers and other invasive treatments do not work, it may be a wise option to consider chiropractic treatment. A TMJ chiropractor can help ease the pain and other symptoms and treat the underlying problem with hands-on adjustments. Although a dental issue, chiropractic treatment can also be highly successful in treating TMJ-related discomfort.

Relieving TMJ symptoms with chiropractic therapy

The main focus of chiropractic treatment for TMJ is to reduce pain and improve the functioning of the jaw and surrounding muscles. To do this, a TMJ chiropractor will use a combination of techniques like manual adjustments, tissue therapy, and exercises to help realign the jaw, reduce muscle tension, and improve flexibility. 

Chiropractors may also focus on your cervical spine as well as upper back and shoulders. They will work on these areas as they are closely associated with your jaw function and can cause discomfort. By addressing any restrictions or misalignments in these areas, chiropractors can help to reduce tension and improve mobility in your jaw. Now let us see how chiropractic therapy can alleviate TMJ-related symptoms in detail:

1. Bodily adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments are done in a manual, hands-on approach for soft tissue therapy. This adjustment ensures that every part is in a natural position, relieving the stress caused due to misalignments in the body. The manipulation done in the soft tissues provides relief from pain and speeds up the healing process. Adjustments done by a chiropractor can resolve TMJ-related discomfort arising from poor jaw alignment, stress, grinding teeth(bruxism), and jaw injury. Chiropractic sessions will also relieve neck pain, tension, headaches, and cavitations (cracking and popping sounds). 
2. Relieving stress and tension: Some issues of TMJ arise from extra physical and mental strain. Stressed nerves and tense muscles can benefit from chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy done by a qualified chiropractor. Chiropractic care targets all muscles and nerves around the patient’s jaw, facial area, neck, shoulders, and back. Chiropractors can release trapped nerves, relieve tension in the muscles, and address neck and spine dysfunction. The treatment also prevents swelling and helps to improve circulation in the jaw muscles. After going through a full treatment plan, pain and pressure around the area should be alleviated to a great extent. 
3. Treating the underlying problem: TMJ pain can occur due to many factors. A chiropractor will do a complete diagnosis to find out the root cause of the problem and see whether their services will be enough to address it. Some conditions may require a combination of different approaches like acupuncture, adjustments, functional medicine, and lifestyle changes. A chiropractor’s services can speed up the healing process if the root of the condition is a jaw or muscle injury. Acupuncture can reduce symptoms of swelling, improve movement, and boost oxygen and nutrient supply. By addressing the root cause, the pain, and other symptoms will go away.
4. Soft tissue therapy: A chiropractor can work on the soft tissue around the jaw to bring it back to normal functioning and release any trapped nerves and signals in the area. The adjustments can rectify misaligned jaws and reduce tension in the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles. A chiropractor’s specialty is in treating injuries from soft tissues stemming from trauma, repetitive stress, and other causes. Most chiropractors specialize in treating such issues and can help repair the damage, speed up healing, and relieve pain from TMJ.
5. Systematic treatment plan: TMJ is a complicated condition that may need multiple approaches of treatment apart from just chiropractic adjustment. A chiropractor can perform a detailed diagnosis and chalk out a treatment plan combining chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture. This will allow the specialists to take a holistic approach to treatment, addressing each symptom with the specific approach it needs to be treated. Chiropractic therapy thus accounts for a systematic approach to treatment where physical adjustments act complementary to other treatments for greater attention to the root problem.

Conclusion

TMJ and jaw pain are very common symptoms among patients and are greatly alleviated with chiropractic therapy. Chiropractors combine multiple avenues like hands-on adjustments, acupuncture, physical therapy, and massage therapy to address the problems in the jaw at the root. This speeds up the healing process and works far better than painkillers and other drugs in reducing painful symptoms.

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