One of the most over used joints in our body is the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ joint for short).
The TMJ joint and the ligaments and muscles that surround it connect the lower jaw to the skull.
These muscles and ligaments stretch and strain as they provide movement to talk, chew and clench.
When the TMJ joint becomes overworked and tight it can lead to what’s called a TMJ dysfunction.
What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?
- Emotional & physical stress
- Grinding or clenching teeth
- Injuries or fractures of the joint
- Missing teeth, poorly shaped teeth
- Crowns or bridges
- Degenerative diseases such as arthritis
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Reduced movement of the jaw
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Clicking or popping noises in the jaw
- Pain when chewing or opening wide
- Ear-aches
- Loss of hearing or ringing in the ear
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Migraine headaches
How is TMJ Diagnosed?
X-Ray is used to rule out arthritis and other causes.
An assessment may include:
- Assessing movement and the presence of clicking.
- The measure finger test.
- Palpating the jaw, shoulders and neck for tenderness
4 Tips To Treat TMJ pain
- Treat the underlying cause
- Manage stress using strategies like Chinese herbal medicine
- Begin treatment with Acupuncture
- Apply for an appointment here
David L. Edwards is an author, Chinese medicine physician and licensed acupuncturist. He is the author of The Body Fat Formula and The Pocketbook guide to Chinese medicine and painless cures (available on amazon). David is the creator of Barefoot Health and Wellness health programs.
Apply for an assessment here
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References
- Porter, Kaplan (editors). The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 19th ed. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station, N.J. 2011.
- The Practice of Chinese medicine, second edition. Giovanni Maciocia. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
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