The temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders — a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders:
Restrictions or issues with the muscles or ligaments that control the TMJ's could result in:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw, especially in the area of the joint
- Popping/clicking of the jaw (crepitus)
- Pain that feels like a toothache
- Ear pain (earache) or sounds of cracking in the ears
- Ringing or popping sounds in the ears (tinnitus) or a sense of fullness in the ears
- Headaches, including migraines
- Blurred vision
- Tight, stiff, or sore jaw or neck muscles
- Muscle spasms in the jaw
- Facial pain, mouth pain, jaw pain, cheek pain, or chin numbness or tingling
- Pain at the base of the tongue
- Pain, swelling, or a lump in the temple area
- Difficulty chewing
- Shoulder pain
- Locking or dislocation of the jaw (usually after widely yawning), referred to as lockjaw
- Dizziness or vertigo
Causes of TMJ Disorder
TMJ has a wide array of potential causes that our doctors of chiropractic will explore when you come in for your appointment. Some of the known causes of TMJ include:
- Jaw or tooth injury from a blow or other impact
- Clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth (bruxism)
- Poor posture
- Stress or anxiety
- Arthritis or other inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders
- Orthodontic braces
- Excessive gum chewing
Chiropractic Care at LSM Chiropractic for a TMJ Disorder
At LSM Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to treating the TMJ's. Once your chiropractor confirms your condition, a personalized treatment plan will be developed. We leave no stone unturned in understanding the root cause of your problem before creating a thorough plan. Typically, this plan will include chiropractic adjustments, specialized exercises, and, if necessary, heat or ice therapy to alleviate severe pain.
Don't let a TMJ disorder control your life. Take the first step towards relief by contacting the experienced team at LSM Chiropractic. Call or click below to start your journey towards eliminating your TMJ disorder symptoms.