TMJ Dysfunction Treatment in Greer, SC
Chiropractic Care for TMJ Pain
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is a disorder affecting over 10 million people per year. It causes pain and discomfort in and around your jaw. Symptoms include pain and tenderness in your jaw, aching around your ear, pain in one or both of your temporomandibular joints, difficulty chewing, locking of the joint making it difficult to open or close your mouth, and aching facial pain. TMJ is often caused by the disc eroding or moving out of proper alignment, arthritis damaging the joint’s cartilage, or a blow or impact damaging the joint. Certain risk factors that may contribute to TMJ are jaw injury, types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, certain connective tissue diseases, and long-term grinding or clenching of the teeth.
How We Treat TMJ Pain in Greer, SC
Your First Chiropractic Visit
Health History/Consultation
Your first appointment will include a thorough health history. It is vital to inform the doctor of any current and previous health issues you have. It is essential to disclose any injuries and traumas you have had to the doctor, the medications you are taking, and your health goals.
Clinical Examination
Your examination may include evaluating your jaw’s range of motion and alignment when opening and closing your jaw. Doctors may also perform palpation of the jaw and facial muscles for tightness and balance to help assess the functionality of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Certain tests of the neck may also be performed to help determine whether subluxations (misalignments) of the neck may be playing a part of your TMJ dysfunction.
Allowing Your Spine To Function
By following the doctor’s recommendations, being present for all your scheduled appointments, performing your rehabilitative exercise, and working on correcting your bad habits, you will be on your way to feeling better and living a healthier life.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan for TMJ
Many TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain cases are due to neck issues or muscle weakness or imbalance, particularly in the jaw muscles like the temporalis or masseter muscles. At Ehlich Family Chiropractic, we will provide you with great adjustments to treat your TMJ pain and prescribe a series of postural exercises and more traditional exercises to help strengthen your jaw muscles so you can function better and heal from your TMJ issues. In your exam, we’ll assess how you move and create an exercise plan that addresses those specific functional deficiencies. Not only will we be helping you in the office, but we will also give you a plan to do at home to restore function as quickly as possible.
Here are, 3 easy exercises you can do at home for TMJ.
Disclaimer: go gently with these exercises, as the joint is very small and sometimes sensitive.
Using the palm of your hand, place your right hand on the right side of your jawline. Keep your top teeth aligned with your bottom teeth. Be mindful not to push or favor your jaw to the left or right. Push your palm from right to left without letting your jaw swing. Hold the jaw in place as you push for five seconds. Repeat 3-5 times. Make sure to do both sides. This exercise will help your masseter muscles right above the back of your jaw and below your cheekbone. You can locate it by clenching your jaw.
Put your fist under your chin. Next, gradually open your mouth, offering slight resistance with your fist. As you open, try holding your resistance for five seconds as you open as wide as possible, reaching a comfortable level, meaning don’t stress it out by opening too wide. This is going to work that joint on both sides.
To increase the range of motion of the temporomandibular joint on both sides, put the palm of your hand on your chin and gently push straight back, keeping your teeth aligned and not letting that jaw swing in any direction. The only motion should be backward. You’ll push for five seconds and do this 3-5 times.
These exercises, in conjunction with other professional services, may help with TMJ
dysfunction.
Deep Tissue Laser
At Ehlich Family Chiropractic, we offer laser therapy for acute and chronic conditions. Laser therapy is proven to reduce inflammation and pain and help with TMJ dysfunction. This type of therapy is highly effective when it comes to treating acute pain, chronic conditions, and post-op pain. Laser therapy treatment is safe, painless, and fast – treatments typically take five to ten minutes to administer. Our patients usually see results within three to five treatment sessions. Laser therapy stimulates cellular activity, utilizing the healing power of your own body. The stimulated healing process actively reduces inflammation for up to 24 hours after treatment.
Check Out Our Location Near You
606 W Poinsett St, A Greer, SC 29650