By: Active Sports Therapy
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a very complex joint involving muscles in the human skull. It is said that TMJ pain is experienced by roughly 25% of the population. This joint is basically responsible for helping you to open and close your mouth. Because we use our jaw for eating, talking, smiling and much more every day, TMJ presents great difficulties for individuals who suffer from it.
Common symptoms associated with TMJ may include:
- Popping or clicking when opening and closing the mouth
- Muscle and joint tenderness
- Stiff or sore jaw muscles
- Decreased ability to open the jaw
- Headaches or facial pain
There are many causes for TMJ but a very common one is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Trauma to the mouth or head can also cause TMJ as well as arthritis, gum chewing, poor posture or a misalignment of the teeth or the jaw.
ART is an incredible technique that can help to treat this condition. If you haven’t tried it for your TMJ we recommend booking in to see us as people often find relief in just a few treatments. During an ART treatment, tension is applied to affected muscles, ligaments, and tendons. As the tension is applied, the practitioner or an assistant will then move the affected area and thus releasing tension and breaking up adhesions. This works to restore normal range of motion. This unique combination of direct pressure and specific guided movement patterns are the key to ART’s success in treating pain and injuries.
Some other things that you can do to help with your TMJ would be:
- Avoid chewing gum
- Do gentle stretching and massaging of the jaw and neck on a regular basis
- See your dentist to see if a dental splint is necessary
- Icing the joint area
Please call us to book an appointment with on of our ART certified chiropractors.
*This blog is not intended to officially establish a physician-patient relationship, to replace the services of a trained physician, naturopathic doctor, physical therapist or chiropractor or otherwise to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.