Alternative and Natural TMJ Treatment
What is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the mandible to the skull. Located just below each ear, the TMJ facilitates the opening and closing of your jaw. Without this hinging joint, your lower jaw would have no way of completing the movements required for eating, drinking, and speaking.
Disorders or dysfunctions in the TMJ are typically categorized under the umbrella term of TMJ Diseases. If you or someone you know suffers from TMJ, an upper cervical chiropractor may be able to help ease your pain.
TMJ Signs and Symptoms
In the U.S. alone, an estimated 10 million people currently suffer from some form of TMJD, with symptoms including:
• Pain in the face or neck.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Locking of the jaw.
• Clicking or popping in the craniofacial area.
• Limited movement in the jaw.
• Intermittent shifts in jaw alignment.
• Stiffness or spasms in facial muscles.
What Are Some TMJ Causes?
As there are several possible causes of TMJ, generating an exact diagnosis can be quite difficult. In most cases, TMJ occurs when there is a protracted imbalance in the mastication muscle group. This imbalance can be caused by habitual teeth grinding, frequent jaw clenching, periodic arthritis, or long-term erosion in the TMJ joint. Orthodontic braces, chronic stress, and poor posture have also been associated with the onset of TMJ.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects the TMJ
TMJ and spinal misalignment: No matter the method of damage, the overarching cause of TMJ is dislodgement in the neck’s vertebrae. This dislodgement affects the trigeminal nerve, the cranial nerve responsible for controlling your mastication muscle group, creating an uneven tone in your jaw muscles. Changes in your mastication muscles can impede the function of the TMJ which, when left unchecked, will cause symptoms associated with TMJ which can be referred to as TMJ spine problems. According to some estimates, misalignment in the upper cervical spine is responsible for around 75 percent of TMJ cases.
How Does our Natural TMJ Treatment Work?
We are focused on removing interferences to normal body function to get to the root cause of TMJ. We do not just treat the symptoms. Our goal is to allow the body to heal from the underlying cause of TMJ and any related health problems.
In order to treat TMJ, we will need to examine your upper cervical spine for misalignment. To locate a misalignment, we will perform a range of objective chiropractic tests. If a misalignment is detected, we take a Cone Beam Cat Scan (CBCT), which is less invasive than a X-Ray, to determine the precise angle and direction of the misaligned vertebra.
To correct TMJ via an upper cervical spinal issue, we will manipulate your body use a low force, precise technique to correct any misaligments in the upper cervical spine. At no time will we twist, pop, or crack any joints in your neck. We deliver a precise and gentle correction to restore the neck and spine to its normal position so that any interference can be removed and recovery from TMJ can begin.
Looking for a TMJ and jaw misalignment chiropractor? We provide TMJ treatment for patients in the Las Vegas and surrounding areas. This includes all of Clark County and neighboring states such as Utah, Arizona and California.