Did you know that over 10 million Americans struggle with the pain and discomfort temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders cause? If you’re suffering from TMJ, the compassionate care providers at Balance Wellspace in Roanoke, Virginia, want to help.
Our practice is committed to helping our patients live without pain. That’s why we offer integrative medicine and holistic care as part of our comprehensive line of services — including help for TMJ pain.
Read on to learn how noninvasive chiropractic care can help you put an end to TMJ pain.
What is TMJ?
The two small joints in front of your ears on both sides of your head are called the temporomandibular joints. If something goes wrong with these joints, you can develop TMJ disorders, more commonly called TMJ or TMD.
Patients with TMJ have discomfort and pain in their jaw, especially the muscles and tendons around these tiny joints. Other signs you may have TMJ include:
- Pain in or around the ear
- Pain or difficulty with chewing
- Facial pain
- Locked or clicking jaw
- Chronic headaches
- Neck pain
- Dizziness
If you suspect you may have TMJ, it’s important to obtain a diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible. If not treated, TMJ can cause serious complications that may affect your ability to swallow, speak, chew, control the muscles in your face, and even breathe.
What causes TMJ disorders?
TMJ disorders develop when the disc of cartilage in the temporomandibular joint moves out of place or wears down. You can also develop TMJ if the joint is damaged or injured, such as in a car accident or fall, or due to physical contact.
There are several risk factors that increase your chances of developing TMJ. These include:
- Having a connective tissue disease
- Sustaining a blow to the jaw
- Injuring the jaw in an accident
- Having arthritis
- Having problems with jaw or teeth alignment
- Suffering from chronic tooth grinding
- Sometimes people develop TMJ and the exact cause is never determined.
How can chiropractic care help TMJ pain?
TMJ can cause tension and swelling that affects various nerves in your face, head, and neck. Chiropractic care at Balance Wellspace helps alleviate TMJ pain by addressing any dysfunction in your neck and spine.
We may use treatment methods that reposition the bones connecting your neck and head and treat any dysfunctions present to reduce nerve interference. When these dysfunctions are treated, the nerve pressure related to TMJ is alleviated, providing relief from TMJ pain.
Most patients find relief from TMJ pain after several chiropractic visits, but regular appointments may be necessary to manage your TMJ pain. At Balance Wellspace, we work with you to create a customized treatment plan based on your unique symptoms and needs.
To learn more about how chiropractic care can help you manage your TMJ pain, call Balance Wellspace’s Roanoke office or request an appointment online now.