Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder—also called Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) are two terms that refer to a number of conditions which cause pain in the neck, face, head and jaw area.
The Temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are two hinged jaw joints located just in front of the ears that attach the lower jaw (called the mandible) to the bones at the sides and base of the skull (known as temporal bones).
These joints allow the jaws to open, close, move side-to-side and rotate in movements like chewing, swallowing or speaking.
What Causes TMJ/TMD?
This problem has multiple causes such as trauma to the face, jaw or spine, neurological dysfunction of the 5th Cranial Nerve (this nerve controls the jaw muscles), clenching of the teeth, bone abnormalities and arthritis of the TMJ.
Symptoms may include:
- headaches
- tension in the jaw, face and neck muscles
- jaw stiffness
- pain
- a distinctive clicking sound heard when the mouth opens or closes.
The TMJ disorder can be a chronic or temporary problem that affects twice as many women as it does men. Most symptoms appear between the ages of twenty and fifty years of age.
NUCCA chiropractic TMJ/TMD treatment
National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association recommended treatment for TMJ/TMD can be extremely effective in helping people with this disorder.
To understand why, you need to know that there are a couple of links between the spine and the nervous system.
The most likely link between the spine and TMJ/TMD is the 5th cranial nerve. The 5th cranial nerve exits the spinal cord and wraps up through the skull to a point where it controls the muscles of mastication (chewing).
This nerve is easily susceptible to injury when the bones at the top of the spine misalign (Atlas Subluxation Complex). There are two of the fifth cranial nerves, one on each side. If one or both of these nerves become irritated or impaired, it may send too many or too few neurological impulses to the muscles of the jaw.
This will cause the muscles to tighten and could result in TMD if the jaw is pulled out of place. Correcting the spine will help return the nervous system to its proper function.
Muscles will be re-balanced, the patient can get relief from pain and recover from the TMJ disorder. Many patients have felt their jaw shift back into place during a NUCCA chiropractic correction.
Dr. Schallmann has been working specifically with TMJ/TMD specialists and, together, we have been able to achieve excellent results. One post-graduate dental college, LVI (Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dentistry) recommends that its dentists co-care with a NUCCA doctor when faced with complex TMJ/TMD cases.
Our patients tell us that we can successfully manage their TMJ/TMD, while others find that co-operative care with their dentist or doctor achieves the best results.
Click here to see TMJ/TMD and Jaw pain testimonials from Back In Balance Chiropractic patients.
Whether you have an extremely complex case or just some minor tension in the jaw, we take these issues seriously. Results indicate that your jaw will improve under NUCCA chiropractic.
The TMJ/TMD has a reputation of being a highly complicated and frustrating problem to fix. Begin the treatment of the TMJ/TMD with us, or add NUCCA chiropractic care to what your dentist/surgeon is already doing, and discover relief from this painful problem.
If you or someone you know has already tried other treatments for TMJ/TMD without achieving the level of success that you or they want, why not try NUCCA recommended and approved Upper Cervical Care chiropractic treatments?
Relief may be just a phone call away. Call the office today at 425-437-9974. Dr. Schallmann will be glad to discuss treatment options with you.
