Can a Chiropractor Fix TMJ?

Chiropractic care is most often thought of as something individuals seek when they are suffering from back pain. But it can also help with a variety of other problems, such as Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). So the answer is YES, chiropractors can fix TMJ.

The ability to speak, chew and swallow or even yawn is a result of the jaw acting as a hinge to connect the mandible with the skull. This joint is one of the most commonly used joints in the body.

TMJ occurs when the disc becomes displaced or when the surrounding muscles and tendons become inflamed. The results are:

• Pain and tenderness around the joint directly in front of your ear


• The opening and closing of the mouth will become difficult or painful


• A grinding or crunching sound when an individual opens or closes their mouth

People with TMJ can also have earaches, headaches, dizziness, and muffled hearing.

A chiropractor can help with treating TMJ in two ways:

1. Providing Chiropractic Adjustments to the upper neck or jaw.


2. Recommending exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to help speed recovery and prevent a relapse

Chiropractic treatment is very effective for patients with TMJ. Before treatment a Chiropractor will perform a full spinal analysis focusing on the upper neck and evaluating the jaw joint. Treatment plans will include chiropractic adjustments of the upper neck and/or jaw area. Depending on severity, patients may see immediate relief or will need a series of adjustments over time to see relief. Usually, the longer one waits to see a chiropractor for treatment, the longer the recovery time.

Chiropractors are concerned with not only treating patients until their pain dissipates, but also assuring their problems are permanently eliminated.

What are some of the philosophical elements associated with chiropractic care? Among them:

• Naturalism


• Rationalism


• Holism

Chiropractic care focuses on the total human body, in the belief that it is inter-related with both the environment and individuals' lifestyles.

In many cases, chiropractic care is proven to be more effective than drugs and medicines. Not only is it more effective, it helps patients through care that is gentler, cheaper, and does not include the potential for negative results later.

Chiropractors can recommend certain pain relieving exercises that help relax jaw muscles and relieve stress. Meditation and massage are some of the other methodologies adopted by the chiropractor to treat their patients.

Since chiropractic care is effective with disorders which are mechanical in nature it is very effective with TMJ. Not only is chiropractic effective, it is preferable when other options are more closely examined. For example, most people suffering from pain believe medication will provide quick relief for their problems. This is true, but medications only provide temporary pain relief and do not eliminate the cause. Medications may also result in harmful side-effects.

Surgery is another option for TMJ. But surgery can be costly, demand time away from work and other activities during recovery, and it can be dangerous.