Jaw pain can be a result of many types of dis-ease in the body such as a tooth infection, pinched nerve, ear infection, teeth grinding, joint misalignment, etc. Jaw pain may be acute or chronic in nature. The pain is usually associated with increased stress levels, headaches, popping or clicking when you chew, and grinding teeth at night. Many seek evaluation and management from their dentist or ENT which often results in a prescription for a nightguard. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. Let's talk today about what other treatment options are available here at Clark Road Chiropractic Center for pain related to the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and jaw pain.
Symptoms:
Jaw Pain or face pain
Pain with Chewing
Clicking or Crunching in the jaw
Difficulty Eating Certain Foods
Ear pain or fullness
Headaches
Grinding Teeth at night
Numbness or tingling in the neck or head
Chiropractic Care
All of of these symptoms may actually be related to a misalignment of your Temporomandibular joint. When a misalignment happens in your jaw, the joint no longer articulates correctly and causes increased pain and muscle tension on one side of the jaw, head, and neck. At Clark Road Chiropractic Center we will evaluate the jaw's alignment, the surrounding areas such as the cervical spine and musculoskeletal tissue. A series of adjustments made to a misaligned joint can reduce abnormal stress, eliminate pain, and improve day to day function. By alleviating dis-ease and restoring normal joint alignment is so important to improve physiological function. Isn't chiropractic awesome!?
Acupuncture
After the alignment is corrected with a few chiropractic adjustments the pain may still be lingering due to excessive inflammation located within the joint. When a joint has been under abnormal stress for a prolonged period of time there is an accumulation of inflammation, swelling, and irritation. To fully heal the affected area acupuncture helps reduce localized inflammation into the TMJ by improving blood circulation and stimulating natural vital energy channels to provide essential nutrients and healing. Many people carry emotional stress and anxiety in the muscles in and around the jaw and face. Acupuncture is also used to reduce trigger points, chronic pain, increased levels of stress and anxiety which is almost always associated with jaw pain.
Massage
After the alignment and inflammation have improved the pain is usually gone or very mild at this point. Massage or myofascial release plays an important role to lasting relief and prevention. Muscles like the masseter, medial and lateral pterygoids, and temporalis are usually short and tight as a result of overuse form talking and chewing and stress. There are a variety of massage techniques that are beneficial for jaw pain that we will teach you to perform at home. These massage techniques play an important role in preventing joint alignment and inflammation in the future.
From the desk of Dr. Lisette Miller Kondrad. Dr. Miller is a licensed Chiropractic Physician and Board Certified Acupuncture Provider who has been in clinical practice for 7 years. She has helped hundreds of patients via Chiropractic care and Acupuncture. Click here to contact Clark Road Chiropractic Center with any questions or to schedule your appointment!
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