Do You Have Jaw Pain in Clinton IA?

The TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint is an interesting and dynamic joint in the body that can cause a lot of problems. The TMJ is the most used joint in the body opening and closing up to 2000 times per day during chewing, swallowing, talking, etc. Many people today have TMJ issues which can be caused by or further complicated by clenching their jaw or grinding their teeth. However, often times, the cause is not immediately apparent.

Many times a TMJ joint that is not functioning properly refers pain to other areas, most commonly the head and neck. In fact, sometimes these are the only symptoms of TMJ dysfunction, because the TMJ itself does not hurt. Conversely, at times a problem in the neck will show up as TMJ pain, when in fact the TMJ itself is fine. This, again, is what is called referred pain and is quite common throughout the human body (For example; a heart attack causing left arm pain).
The opening of the jaw should be smooth, unbroken and without pain. Symptoms of TMD or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder can include:

• Radiating/referred pain in the face, neck, or shoulders;
• Limited/restricted movement or locking of the jaw;
• Painful clicking or grating when opening or closing the mouth;
• A significant change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together;
• Headaches, ear pain, dizziness, hearing problems and difficulty swallowing

There are many solutions for TMD. These range from surgery and medication to simple at home exercises and lifestyle modifications. Chiropractic treatment in our office often consists of gentle manipulation of the jaw, treating the inflamed tight muscles, in office therapy, and/or prescribed at home exercises to help normalize jaw movement.

To determine if Chiropractic can help TMD, a thorough history and exam are done to reveal the exact cause of pain and rule out various other conditions. Once it is determined that a patient’s case can be treated with Chiropractic, a treatment plan will be given. The treatment plan can involve little more than several treatments and at home therapy, as some patients respond very quickly. Some patient’s treatment plan may need to be more extensive both in frequency and length depending on the severity of their condition.

As a doctor of Chiropractic I have been able to see people of all ages deal successfully with the painful symptoms of TMD using Chiropractic care. I enjoy educating our community about how this gentle & non-medicated approach can help others. Additionally, I am happy to provide a complimentary consultation to members of our community seeking answers to their questions about TMD.