Don’t Let TMJ Pain Drag You Down

Life just isn't life when we can't smile, laugh or eat without fear of pain. Yes, jaw pain radiating from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can make it difficult to do everything from eating food to falling asleep. TMJ pain can be especially distressing because it seems to "come out of nowhere" suddenly for many people. What's more, TMJ disorder symptoms can leave you feeling like you're trapped in a world of pain and confusion because you can't always predict when your jaw will cooperate when you try to talk, make an expression or chew. Are you experiencing jaw pain? While TMJ dysfunction can feel scary, you should know that this is a very common problem that can often be treated easily using holistic therapies for reliving tension. Take a look at what you need to know about diagnosing, treating and preventing TMJ pain.

Why Does My Jaw Hurt?

While "TMJ" is a term that's thrown around a lot, very few people actually understand the mechanics of the common TMJ pain that impacts so many people. To understand TMJ pain, one must understand the anatomy of the jaw. We can start by identifying where the temporomandibular joint is located. We actually have two temporomandibular joints on both sides of the face. These joints are responsible for connecting the jawbone and skull. In fact, the easiest way to think of the TMJ is to simply picture it as a sliding hinge that helps you to smoothly open and close your mouth. We activate this joint every time we move our lips, mouth and jaw. This includes when we're smiling, laughing, sipping, singing, chewing, brushing our teeth, shouting and singing.

The mechanics of the TMJ are highly involved with the rest of the skull. The complete "TMJ complex" is full of cushion-like discs that support and insulate the joint. In addition to being directly connected to the jawbone, the TMJ is intertwined with a variety of muscles and ligaments. While both TMJs help us to activate our facial muscles, their interconnectedness with so many delicate muscles, tendons and discs does make them vulnerable for injury and dysfunction. In fact, an imbalance in any of the soft tissues that connect with the TMJ can create TMJ pain or dysfunction.

What Are Some TMJ Disorder Symptoms?

If you're suffering from a TMJ disorder or injury, pain in the direct area is the most obvious symptoms. However, there are some other symptoms to know about. Take a look:

• Radiating pain in the jaw.
• Tenderness throughout the jaw.
• Ear pain.
• Neck pain.
• A clicking sound when your jaw is engaged.
• Difficulty with chewing.
• Painful chewing.
• Facial pain.
• Inability to open and close your mouth because your jaw feels "locked."
• Jaw popping.
• A stiff jaw.
• Headaches.

Some people may have several of these symptoms all at once. While some people many not feel pain, they may feel a sense of general "discomfort" and "limitation" when trying to engage their jaws. Others may simply "hear" popping or cracking sounds when they try to engage their jaw.

Why Do I Have Jaw Pain?

There are many different reasons behind TMJ disorders. In fact, your likelihood of developing a TMJ disorder can be impacted by everything from genetics to lifestyle. Here's a look at common reasons for TMJ dysfunction and jaw pain:

• Injuries: If you've been involved in any type of car accident, sports accident or fall at any point in your life, your jaw pain could be the result of an unhealed injury caused by direct trauma. Impact can damage the TMJ quite easily. The good news is that it may be possible to get your neck, spine and jaw back into alignment to heal the blockage that is causing strain and inflammation at your jaw joint.
• Mouth Trauma: Dental surgery can potentially trigger TMJ pain.
• Improper Jaw Alignment: It's possible that the lifelong stress of having a misaligned jaw has put enough pressure on your joint to create dysfunction.
• Arthritis: The jaw joint is one of the joints that can be impacted by rheumatoid arthritis.
• Tension and Stress: Constantly clenching or grinding the jaw can cause TMJ dysfunction. Many people grind their teeth at night without being aware of their habit. Additionally, many people who are under psychological stress actually perform sustained, involuntary muscle contraction as a defense mechanism.
• Disc Dislocation: If the cushioning around the TMJ becomes misaligned, this can prevent the joint from performing the proper "gliding" motion to allow you to open and close your mouth.
• Poor Posture: It's important to remember that the jaw joint ultimately connects to our neck, shoulders and spine. When we maintain crooked posture that creates misalignments throughout the spinal column, we are also putting stress on the TMJ. That means that everything from straining our neck to glance down at a our screen to slumping over in a work chair can lead to jaw pain.

While there are many causes for TMJ pain, it's often easy to narrow down the cause of your jaw pain just by looking at things like personal health history and lifestyle. Many people don't connect things like past car accidents or falls with the pain they are experiencing until they do a health evaluation. Of course, it's also important to identify any related issues that might be contributing to jaw pain.

Treating TMJ Pain: It's Possible to Heal Jaw Pain Naturally Through Chiropractic Care

How do you treat TMJ pain naturally? Many people use manual therapies and adjustments to restore function to their jaw joints. In studies, chiropractic care has been linked with a reduction of temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Chiropractic intervention for TMJ dysfunction has two main goals. The first is to adjust the jaw to allow it to move freely. The second is to relieve muscle tension that is causing pain and stiffness. Many patients feel instant relief after one adjustment. However, several sessions are typically required to fully restore joint function by slowly and gently bringing the jaw joint back into proper alignment without additional strain.

In some cases, creating a plan that involves chiropractic adjustments with dental interventions can offer the best benefits. If it's determined that your TMJ pain is the result of teeth grinding, you may want to consider being fitted for a retainer or dental splint that allows you to keep your jaw steady and still while you sleep. In addition to treating your TMJ, this option can also help to preserve your teeth from the drastic wear patterns that can result from teeth grinding. This can also help to stop headaches. While a retainer or dental splint can help to prevent future damage, this method won't necessarily help to undo the misalignment that has occurred. This is where manual adjustments can help to restore your TMJ positioning for long-term pain relief and wellness.

We're Here to Help You Treat TMJ Pain

If you're living with TMJ dysfunction, don't let jaw pain get you down for another day! At DE Integrative, we specialize in treating TMJ pain using holistic methods for restoring balance to your jaw, face, and neck. Many of our patients find that jaw pain is just one symptom of a larger issue within their spinal column or central nervous system that is creating stress, tension, pain, headaches, fatigue, and mood issues. We'll help you identify the root cause of your jaw pain to create a personalized plan for restoring full jaw function. Don't let jaw pain silence your passion for life! Book your appointment with DE Integrative today.