TMJ: Can Chiropractic Care Stop the Pain?
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder; Now there’s a mouthful! This disorder, usually referred to as TMJ, is a disorder that occurs at the joint where the upper and lower jaws meet. If you don’t suffer from this disorder, then you probably don’t realize how much this joint gets used on a daily basis. From chewing to talking, to smiling, this joint gets used over and over again. When you suffer from TMJ, that means quite a bit of pain on a daily basis. If you suffer from this ailment, you’re likely to have symptoms such as mouth discomfort, headaches, teeth clenching, trouble swallowing, jaw clicking, and many others. Luckily, there is help available for those that suffer from this disorder.
Heat and Ice
Many people begin treating symptoms of TMJ with alternating heat and ice. The joint affected by TMJ often experiences inflammation, which means that applying heat and/or ice reduces the pain experienced as a result of this inflammation. The most often used method is to apply the ice pack or heating pad directly to the joint for set periods of time, especially after extended use of the jaw.
Anti-inflammatory Medication
Whether you use over the counter medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen, or the doctor prescribes a high power anti-inflammatory, medication is often used to try and alleviate the symptoms. For some, this method does a lot of good, while others still find little relief from the pain. Especially in the short term, however, medication may prove useful for symptoms such as headache and mouth discomfort.
Mouth Guard
Many people that suffer from TMJ tend to grind their teeth at night. Though the exact reason for this is unknown, some people resort to wearing a mouthguard at night in to prevent this grinding. While this does not solve TMJ, it improves some of the symptoms, as teeth grinding can make the symptoms of TMJ worse.
Chiropractic Care
Another option for those with TMJ is to use chiropractic care. Chiropractic care, in many cases, has proven to be helpful in dissipating or eliminating the painful side effects of TMJ. The thought is that chiropractors fix misalignments of the spine, and that these misalignments cause problems between the body and the central nervous system, ultimately resulting in pain. To get chiropractic care for TMJ, try a chiropractor at The Joint...the Chiropractic Place. At The Joint, an appointment is unnecessary, and instead, an affordable pricing plan is available. If you hope to diminish the discomfort that you suffer as a result of TMJ, a chiropractor at The Joint may be able to get you on the right track.
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