If you're wondering whether chiropractic care can provide relief for TMJ, we have great news for you. Not only does chiropractic treatment for TMJ help alleviate pain when you visit a chiropractor, but there are also exercises you can do at home to loosen up your jaw muscles and reduce discomfort.

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In this article, we will introduce exercises that can be performed at home to alleviate TMJ pain. Additionally, we will explain how chiropractors can assist with TMJ and what you can expect from their treatment.

Understanding TMJ

TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), refers to acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects your mandible to your skull. TMJ encompasses various conditions affecting the TM joints, jaw muscles, and facial nerves.

The TM joint, located on both sides of your head, connects the lower jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones of the skull. The muscles attached to the mandible allow the jaw to move.

When you open your mouth, the rounded upper ends of the mandible slide along the joint socket at the base of the skull. Upon closing your mouth, they return to their original position. This movement often results in the popping sound experienced by individuals with TMJ.

TMJ is a common condition caused by factors such as jaw injury or trauma, teeth grinding (awake or during sleep), nail-biting, degenerative joint diseases like arthritis, infections, and autoimmune diseases. Surprisingly, many individuals suffering from TMJ pain are unaware that chiropractors can provide effective relief.

TMJ presents various symptoms, including ear pain, headaches, neck pain, jaw soreness, pain while biting or chewing, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, popping or clicking noises during jaw movement, jaw stiffness, tinnitus, dizziness, and even tooth sensitivity unrelated to dental issues. This wide range of symptoms demonstrates the significant impact of jaw muscles on surrounding joints and muscles.

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ in Seattle WA

During your visit, we will primarily focus on three key muscles: the masseter, the temporalis, and the pterygoid. In addition, because they have a significant impact on the jaw joint and are important for achieving adequate alignment, we pay particular attention to the suboccipital muscles, the jaw joint itself, and the top two vertebrae.

The masseter is a thick, deep muscle in the upper jaw responsible for chewing. You can feel it flexing by placing your hand on your cheek and opening and closing your mouth. The temporalis, on the other hand, is a thinner, clam-shaped muscle located on each side of the head. This muscle plays a crucial role in chewing and covers a broader area, including the temples.

To work on the masseter, place two fingers flat against your jaw, press in and upward to apply pressure to the masseter, and then open and close your mouth. Move to the next part of the masseter, repeating this exercise three times to complete one set. For individuals experiencing jaw pain, we recommend performing three sets of this exercise three times per day.

The same exercise can be applied to the temporalis. When targeting the temporalis, use all four finger pads as it is a broader muscle. Apply the same movement and pressure as the masseter exercise, but remember to use less pressure since the temporalis is thinner. We suggest performing three sets of this exercise on your temporalis three times per day to alleviate TMJ jaw pain.

It is advised to visit a chiropractor for soft tissue work on the pterygoid as it is more difficult to accomplish on your own. The pterygoid release involves applying leverage against the cheek between your cheek and teeth. This particular soft tissue work may be slightly uncomfortable, as the pterygoid is often not as strong as the masseter or temporalis.

After completing the soft tissue work for jaw pain, we proceed to adjust and evaluate the jaw through a TMJ chiropractic adjustment. We determine which side of the jaw joint opens the least and which one opens last, identifying the side that should be addressed first. We then perform a light pushing motion to adjust the stuck side of the jaw, followed by the other side. We reevaluate after this adjustment and frequently discover that the jaw joint has been straightened. If necessary, TMJ treatment can be complemented with dry needling or class 4 laser treatment to expedite tissue healing.

So, does seeing a chiropractor help with TMJ?

We have successfully treated numerous patients with TMJ and relieved their accompanying jaw pain. If you suffer from TMJ, Contact chiropractors In Seattle to schedule an appointment for your TMJ chiropractic adjustment.