TMJ Syndrome

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ Syndrome

Chiropractic treatment is growing in popularity as a non-invasive treatment for TMJ Syndrome (TMJ). This condition, commonly just called TMJ, can affect both or just one of your jaw joints.

TMJ is closely related to spinal problems, in the neck and shoulder areas, and chiropractors are trained to treat bone misalignments, especially those linked to the neck and spine.

What Is TMJ?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Dysfunction or TMJ Syndrome refers to the disorders associated with the jaw joints and their associated muscles. These jaw joints, called temporomandibular joints, are the ball-and-socket joints on either side of your head in front of the ears.

Both the American and Canadian Dental Associations, report that nearly a third of Americans and Canadians experience some form of TMJ dysfunction.

Symptoms of TMJ

Symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:

Tension, and/or pain in your facial muscles and jaw joints which can lead to muscle spasms.
Aching pain in and around your ear
Difficulty in speaking, eating, chewing, and swallowing
Aching facial pain and swelling
A clicking or grating sensation when you move your jaw joints,
Locking of the jaw joint
Severe headache
Uncomfortable and an uneven bite
a clicking or popping sound when the mouth opens or closes
loss of hearing
tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
facial swelling
shoulder, cheek or jaw joint pain
neck ache
facial nerve pain

Some Causes of TMJ

Some causes of TMJ would include:

Trauma to the jaw, This trauma could be external as a result of a blow to the jaw or an accident, or internal as a result of teeth grinding (bruxism), or teeth clenching;
Osteoarthritis a degenerative bone disease may also affect the jaw joints;
Rheumatoid arthritis which would cause inflammation in the jaw joint;
Bone degeneration due to aging;
Bad posture habits. Poor posture can put a strain on the head, neck and shoulder muscles which are closely associated with the jaw muscles and the temporomandibular joint (jaw joint);
Stress; and
Tension in the jaw and neck muscles.

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ

Chiropractic treatment for TMJ starts with a complete medical examination, including X-rays, and tests to determine the severity, and how much mobility there is in your temporomandibular joints.

Chiropractic therapy is a noninvasive treatment which excludes such invasive TMJ treatments as surgery and drug medications.

Your chiropractor will then recommend a TMJ treatment plan that takes into consideration your medical, and family history, as well as your lifestyle habits.

For more information about TMJ syndrome and our services, or if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. John Collins regarding your health, please call us at 403-243-0111.

Address: Bankers Hall Chiropractic
#135 - 315, 8 Ave. SW,
(on the Main Floor of Bankers Hall)