TMJ Treatment with our Beverly Hills Chiropractor
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder refers to a set of conditions that affect your temporomandibular joint in the jaw. The temporomandibular joints are located at the top of each jaw and connect your jaw to your skull. The temporomandibular joints are what enable you to open and close your mouth for eating, talking and yawning. TMD temporomandibular joint disorder occurs when there is damage to the joint, the bone, the cartilage and/or the ligaments.
TMJ Symptoms
Although the symptoms may vary from person to person as well as the severity of damage, the most common symptom of TMJ disorders is a clicking sound when you chew or open and close your mouth to talk. Other symptoms of TMJ disorder may also include:
- Pain in your face
- Pain in or around your ear
- Pain in one or both of your temporomandibular joints
- Lockjaw (difficulty opening and closing your mouth)
- Pain and tenderness in your jaw
- Pain and/or difficulty when chewing
TMJ Causes
There is a wide range of possible causes for TMJ that your chiropractor in Beverly Hills will explore. Some of the most common causes of TMJ include physical stress, jaw dislocation or trauma, osteoarthritis or even sitting for a long period of time with your jaw open. Although emotional stress may lead to TMJ, it isn’t a primary cause on its own, but if you tend to grind your teeth or clench your jaw, when emotionally upset and/or stress, it may cause TMJ.
Chiropractic Care for TMJ
There are a number of ways your chiropractor can treat your TMJ. One of the most common treatments provided by chiropractors includes stress management, which includes advice for change in lifestyle, exercise, breathing techniques and or massage therapy. Chiropractic care may also include spinal adjustments in order to relieve the pain and muscle tension in your neck resulting from the symptoms of TMJ.
Fortunately, in the majority of cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ is generally temporary. Self-managed care and visits to the chiropractor are often the most successful ways to treat TMJ. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive treatment method that involves no medications and is especially helpful for patients who have tried other methods to treat their TMJ. Although it is somewhat rare, in severe cases of TMJ, surgery may be recommended, but it is only used as a last resort when all other methods of treatment have failed.
Get In Touch With Us Today To Receive Chiropractic Care
Contact TYRA BEAVERS, DC Chiro-Integrative Health Center to schedule a consultation for relief of your TMJ symptoms. Call us today at (310) 859-7696.
