TMJ Pain
You may not know what "TMJ" stands for, but if you suffered with this disorder, you'd know it represents excruciating pain.
TMJ (temporomandibular joints) connect the lower jaw to bones at the sides of the head. The flexibility of these joints allows the jaw to move smoothly in all directions when we talk and chew.
With TMJ dysfunction, jaw movement is limited and produces grating and clicking sounds. In extreme cases of TMJ, the jaw can become locked. Pain can spread from the face to the neck, shoulders and ears, creating hearing problems.
Who Has TMJ Pain?
About a third of the American population sufferers from TMJ, and as much as 75% may experience some symptoms. Women seek TMJ pain relief and management two times more often than men
What Causes TMJ Pain?
The most specific cause of TMJ pain would be a powerful impact or injury to the jaw or TMJ. Other, less direct causes, could be defined as natural. That is, natural in the sense that they'd include bad bites or a displaced disk (indicated by jaw clicking).
Stress can also be responsible for aggravating TMJ conditions through teeth grinding and clenching. Often done unconsciously at night, this can create strain and pain in jaw muscles and wear down teeth.
Surgery for TMJ Pain Relief and Pain Management
Surgery is a last resort for the relief of TMJ pain after reversible treatment options have been thoroughly explored. Surgery is only performed for TMJ pain that is inside of the joint and associated with jaw dysfunction. Besides the risk of complications, it's important to consider the fact that the long term benefits of TMJ surgery may be no greater than those offered by alternative medicine pain relief professionals.
TMJ Pain Relief and Pain Management Medications
The use of medications for TMJ pain relief and management carries with it the risk of addiction over an extended period. The pharmaceuticals doctors frequently prescribe for TMJ only mask the condition. Without treatment that addresses its causes, TMJ does not go away.
Besides the danger of addiction, continuous use of pain medications can create serious problems like digestive system and liver damage.
TMJ Natural Pain Relief and Pain Management Therapies
Fortunately, alternative medicine professionals offer TMJ pain sufferers the option of natural pain relief and management therapies without the risks of surgical and pharmaceutical approaches. Besides being more conservative than the medical establishment's methods, natural TMJ pain relief and management can be just as effective if not more so. At Legacy Spine and Rehabilitation Center, we utilize chiropractic and acupuncture therapies to mitigate the symptoms and retrain the muscles and joint to minimize future flare-ups.
Additional Resources:
www.npr.com
www.youtube.com
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