Jaw Pain-What are the symptoms of TMJ?
Temporomandibular Joint
The temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. These muscles can generate up to 150 pounds of pressure!!! TMJ disorders can cause extreme pain in your jaw joint and powerful spasms in the muscles that control jaw movement.
The exact cause of a person's TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as subluxation of the joint, genetics, arthritis or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth (bruxism).
In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorder is temporary and can be relieved with nonsurgical treatments and self-managed care. Surgery is typically a last resort after conservative measures have failed.
What can you do?
Complementary and alternative medicine techniques may help manage the chronic pain often associated with TMJ disorders. Examples include:
Lifestyle and home remedies
The temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. These muscles can generate up to 150 pounds of pressure!!! TMJ disorders can cause extreme pain in your jaw joint and powerful spasms in the muscles that control jaw movement.
The exact cause of a person's TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as subluxation of the joint, genetics, arthritis or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth (bruxism).
In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorder is temporary and can be relieved with nonsurgical treatments and self-managed care. Surgery is typically a last resort after conservative measures have failed.
What can you do?
Complementary and alternative medicine techniques may help manage the chronic pain often associated with TMJ disorders. Examples include:
- Chiropractic adjustments of the joint, head and/or neck.
- Biofeedback. Electronic devices that monitor the tightness of specific muscles can help you practice effective relaxation techniques.
- Muscle Therapy. Licensed therapists will de-stress the muscles attached to the jaw as well as the upper back and neck muscles.
- Acupuncture. A specialist trained in acupuncture treats chronic pain by inserting hair-thin needles at specific locations on your body.
- Relaxation techniques. Consciously slowing your breathing and taking deep, regular breaths can help relax tense muscles, which can reduce pain.
- Herbal Remedies. Various herbs can help relax the muscles regulating the muscles of the joint and neck.
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Avoid overuse of jaw muscles. Eat soft foods. Cut food into small pieces. Steer clear of sticky or chewy food. Avoid chewing gum.
- Stretching and massage. We can show you how to do exercises that stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles and how to massage the muscles yourself.
- Heat or cold. Applying warm, moist heat or ice to the side of your face may help alleviate pain.