TMJ
What is TMJ?
If you suffer from jaw pain or discomfort on a regular basis, this may be a sign that you have TMJ, or temporomandibular jaw disorder. TMJ is common across the country as an estimated 10 million people report being affected by it. While it may be more common in women, men can experience TMJ jaw pain as well. Your jaw is a small joint, but it can cause a great amount of pain. A dentist can sometimes help with TMJ pain, but you may be surprised to know that a Raleigh chiropractor can also help. As joint and musculoskeletal specialists, chiropractors are experienced in easing joint pain, including jaw pain, while simultaneously increasing your level of health. The many benefits of chiropractic care include and even extend beyond alleviating TMJ pain.
Causes of TMJ Pain
TMJ affects the jaw muscles and connected nerves between the jaw bone and the skull called the temporomandibular joint. TMJ symptoms can include swelling, nerve pain, pain when chewing, teeth grinding, headaches, or a clicking or popping sound when moving the jaw up and down. The exact cause of TMJ is not known, but it is thought that misalignment of teeth or grinding of the teeth can lead to TMJ. Other factors such as poor posture may lead to upper back or neck strain which could put a strain on the jaw as well. Stress can also contribute to TMJ as stress causes tension that often leads to increased jaw clenching. If you have symptoms of TMJ, you may reach for over-the-counter medication to alleviate pain and find relief. But this relief is often short-lived, as symptoms typically return shortly after medications wear off. For long-term relief from TMJ, consider chiropractic care from Raleigh chiropractor Dr. Nikolai Simonsen.
Treat the Root Cause of TMJ Through Chiropractic Care
Dr. Nikolai Simonsen of Adapt Chiropractic focuses on neurologically-based chiropractic care to relieve pain throughout the body and increase overall health and function. Because the jaw is a joint and TMJ can be traced back to nerve pain, chiropractic care is a perfect option for managing symptoms. Chiropractors can adjust the jaw joint to relieve the tension that can be the root cause of TMJ pain, but often times the root cause of TMJ pain lies within the nerves, and spinal misalignments that cause nerve interference may cause symptoms of TMJ. Thankfully, Dr. Simonsen can adjust the spine to remove misalignments and restore nerve communication so you can experience relief from TMJ pain. Not only do regular chiropractic adjustments restore nerve function, but they also allow the body to function at high levels of health, meaning you may experience additional benefits such as increased immune system function, better digestion, relief from headaches, and more.
Evidence Supports Chiropractic Care
Case studies support chiropractic care for alleviating TMJ. Simply take a look at these case studies to see for yourself all that chiropractic care can do for you. One case study looked at 14 patients with TMJ pain. Symptoms for all 14 patients were drastically improved or even eliminated through regular chiropractic care.
Don’t Delay, Contact Your Raleigh Chiropractor Today for Help with Your TMJ
If it can work for others, it can work for you, too! Contact Raleigh chiropractor Dr. Nikolai Simonsen of Adapt Chiropractic to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.
Sources
“3 things you need to know about TMJ pain”, Canadian Chiropractic Association. 2018. https://www.chiropractic.ca/blog/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-tmj-pain/.
Pavia, S, Fischer, R, Roy, R. “Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Retrospective Case Series.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2015 Dec; 14(4): 279–284. 2015 Dec; 14(4): 279–284.
