Help for Jaw Pain & TMD in Darwin
Often known as the TMJ, the temporomandibular joint is a crucial part of your body located next to your ears on your face. This joint plays a vital role in basic tasks like speaking and eating. However, a disruption in its function leads to a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Recognising the Symptoms
Symptoms of TMJ include the following:
- Clicking and popping of the jaw
- Difficulty eating
- Ear pain
- Facial and jaw pain
- Facial swelling
- Frequent headaches
- Lockjaw
- Neck and shoulder pain
Identifying the Causes
TMJ pain can creep up for several reasons, but there isn’t a universal cause. One common factor is teeth grinding or clenching, which can occur either during the day or at night.
Stressful periods often trigger this reaction. Typically, this stress-induced clenching or grinding is a default response when the body is under stress.
Importantly, this behavior is usually the result of a chronic stress response. The body engages in this activity uncontrollably and will continue to do so as long as the nervous system remains on high alert.
With many possible sources, it’s crucial to undergo a comprehensive examination with one of our chiropractors to pinpoint the root of your discomfort.
As part of the examination process, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), including its surrounding musculature and neurology. Additionally, a thorough evaluation of your head and neck is crucial. The position of your head and jaw under gravity significantly influences the stress and load placed on your TMJ. Abnormal loading of the mandible due to a dysfunctional cervical spine can alter the head’s position under gravity, adding enormous load to the jaw and drastically overloading the system, as well as close assessment of your nervous system function and stress adaptability. .
Our Approach to TMJ Care
Our chiropractic care for TMJ pain focuses on addressing the root cause of the issue, allowing the jaw and surrounding musculature to function properly. By targeting and removing the underlying causes of TMJ pain, we help render your jaw pain-free and enable you to eat and talk without discomfort. By removing the cause, we also remove the risk of further degeneration. The TMJ is a complex joint, and this drastically improves prognosis over the long term.
