Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction/Disorder (TMJ) (TMD) or jaw pain can be a painful disorder that affects between 5 and 12% of the population. It tends to affect women more so than men and is also more prevalent among younger people.
Symptoms
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Jaw pain or soreness
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Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
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Aching pain in or around the ear
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Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
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Fascial pain
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Locking of the joint making it difficult to open or close your mouth
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Clicking sound in the jaw when chewing
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Headaches
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Neck Pain
Causes
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The joint is damaged by a blow or other impact
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Excessive strain on the jaw joints such as chewing gum
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Involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth
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The joint’s cartilage is damaged by arthritis
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The disk erodes or moves out of proper alignment in your jaw
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In many cases it’s unclear as to the cause
Treatment
TMJ pain is usually a temporary disorder that can be relieved.
Dr. Cheri is trained in treatment methods related to TMJ. She will focus working on 3 main muscles in your jaw which are the masseter, the temporalis and the pterygoid along with the jaw joint and vertebrae in your neck. In addition to chiropractic treatment we recommend ultrasound therapy to reduce inflammation in the jaw. Usually your pain can be resolved within a few treatments.