Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ, TMD)
Your Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) is the joint that attaches your jaw to the bottom of your skull. The TMJ and surrounding muscles are in play every time you take a bite or chew your food. Because the joint opens and closes your mouth, moves back and forth, and moves side to side whenever you chew, it’s considered to be a fairly complicated part of your musculoskeletal system.
When the TMJ is inflamed, it may cause pain in the lower jaw and the surrounding muscles, earaches, jaw stiffness, a change in how the teeth fit together, and popping noises when one opens and closes their mouth. Some common reasons for TMJ Disorder include injury, arthritis, tooth clenching and grinding, and poor bite alignment.
Common Western treatments for pain and inflammation in the TMJ include over-the-counter pain relievers, a mouth guard to prevent clenching and grinding at night, the use of heat or cold, avoiding dense or chewy foods, and avoiding chewing gum.
Acupuncture can be extremely helpful if you’re suffering from TMJ pain through the following mechanisms:
- Helps relax the muscles and tendons that become tight and cause clenching.
- Relieves pain by increasing the circulation of your body’s naturally occurring opioids.
- Clears stress and reduces the frequency and intensity of teeth clenching and grinding.
- Reduces inflammation locally and helps speed the healing process.
Multiple research studies show acupuncture relieves the pain symptoms of TMJ while increasing range of motion in the jaw. At Revive Acupuncture we also recommend a specific anti-inflammatory diet that helps reduce systemic inflammation, and also reduces the presence and severity of teeth clenching and grinding.
