How Chiropractic Care Can Help Your Jaw Pain
A little thought about area of the body which many people suffer pain from is the jaw, otherwise known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Studies have shown that temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is so common that it is second only to chronic lower back pain.
You may think that the only place to go to have this area assessed is the dentist, however, as TMD is primarily a musculoskeletal condition, chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths are all able to diagnose and treat this area.
Recently, a colleague and I attended an advanced course in Bournemouth to learn the latest assessment techniques and treatments for TMD so I thought this would be a great time to share more about this subject.
What is the TMJ?
The TMJ is a synovial joint which enables the movement of your mouth. It consists of the temporal bone in the skull at the top, and the mandible at the bottom, separated by a disc which sits in the joint space between the two bones and is crucial for the proper function of the joint. There are many muscles that surround the TMJ which allow for jaw opening, closing, protrusion, retraction and side to side motions. It is one of the most powerful joints in the body, allowing us to bite with over 160 pounds of pressure per square inch!
TMJ anatomy
Types of TMD
Temporomandibular joint disorder can have a variety of presentations, and so we split them into different categories. This includes:
Pain related TMD and headaches – This category of TMD is characterised by the presence of pain around the jaw, or referred pain into the face or head from the muscles around the jaw. This can be a constant pain that is felt throughout the day, or on movement of the jaw, for example yawning or eating etc.
Intra-articular joint disorders – This category of TMD is categorised by the presence of jaw clicking or cracking on movement of the jaw, or jaw locking. This can be painful but many people with TMD experience a pain free clicking. These noises often represent a minor dislocation and relocation of the disc as it slides over the mandible.
Degenerative joint disorder – This category is characterised by the presence of wear and tear of the TMJ, and often is felt as a noisy grinding sensation referred to as crepitus.
Chiropractic approach to TMD
The first step in any treatment is to fully understand the condition. This will involve a detailed history of the condition and an examination to determine what kind of TMD you are suffering from. Once this has been done and explained to you, there are many treatment techniques that can be utilised to resolve the problem. This can include soft tissue work such as trigger point therapy or active release techniques for the musculature around the jaw, joint mobilisations and of course exercises to address the problem at home. The best approach tends to be a mixture of treatment modalities, all of which will be explained to you before treatment begins. Sometimes these techniques can be a little uncomfortable, but the chiropractor will always work within your tolerance, keeping you as comfortable as possible.
Conclusion
If you have been experiencing jaw pain, tension or clicking then it is important to know you are not alone! This is a very common condition and one you don’t just have to live with. The first step is just understanding what kind of jaw problem you are experiencing, a little bit of knowledge can help you feel more in control of the problem.
Seek out an appointment with a chiropractor, physiotherapist or osteopath to find out what can be done about it. There is no need to suffer in silence!
