TMJ SPECIFIC TREATMENT CAN AND SHOULD BE COLLABORATIVE

TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome) refers to localized pain that repetitively occurs in the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ can also cause earaches, headaches, neck pain, clicking or popping of the jaw and even a locked jaw joint. If you or someone you care about suffers from these symptoms, you know how important and often difficult it is to find TMJ relief.

Temporary relief can usually be achieved using cold packs on the joint and anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen. You may also want to modify your diet to avoid foods that require rigorous chewing. However, if the condition is severe, your physician may recommend other treatment options for TMJ relief, including:

• Mouth Guard: A mouth guard, sometimes called a night guard, is a plastic piece that fits over your teeth while you sleep and limits your ability to grind your teeth. Dentists will use this appliance for a short period of time, so it does not begin to affect your natural bite.
• Acupressure: A tei shin instrument is applied to acupuncture points on your body that can be stimulated to relieve pain in a particular area, such as your face or jaw.  Then, firm pressure is applied to the points with this acupressure instrument. This technique has been shown to provide TMJ sufferers with relief.
• Muscle Relaxants: If over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t strong enough to alleviate the pain, your physician may prescribe muscle relaxants. Some people experience fatigue while using them, so you may have to try a few different medicines before finding the one that will work best for you.  In our office we use natural muscle relaxants, combinations of herbs, minerals and vitamins to improve our ability to help the condition.