TMJ / TMD Manual Therapy

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) sits between the skull and the jaw bone. It is made up of muscles, tendons, a disc, and bones. It moves in a quite complicated way and requires very precise treatment. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction or disorder (TMD) is pain, popping or motion dysfunction of the TMJ; hence activities such as opening the mouth become difficult and also cause pain. We can help you correct the disorder through TMD manual therapy, a part of the chiropractic care we provide at the Cumberland Chiropractic and Sports Medicine. Few people think of a chiropractor for Jaw problems, but we frequently help our patients with TMD, much the same way that we provide elbow pain relief, neck pain relief, low back pain relief, or knee pain relief.

Causes and Symptoms of TMD

This condition is very uncomfortable and puts a hold on your everyday life.
The following factors commonly cause it:

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• Arthritis.

• Fracture or severe injury to the jaw or face.

• Clenching or Bruxing.

• Surgery to the face or jaw.

• Poor posture.

• Stress.

• Nerve Entrapment.

• Tight muscles.

• Imperfections in dental work.

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If you are not sure whether you are suffering from this condition, check this list of symptoms, and see whether they describe your situation:

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• Jaw pain.

• Jaw popping or clicking.

• Neck or jaw Pain with eating or singing.

• Ringing in the ear.

• Locked jaw.

• Headaches.

• Jaw fatigue and stiffness.

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How TMJ Manual Therapy Helps

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The first step in TMD treatment is accurate diagnosis of the source of pain and the cause of dysfunction. We start by ruling in or out TMJ disc damage or dislocation. If that's all clear, we move on to finding the precise nerve, muscle, or ligament problem through movement testing and palpation.

Our manual therapy treatment first includes posture education. Intentionally improving your posture improves the resting position of your jaw, head, and neck when you are sitting or walking. Correct posture is essential since having your head forward places tremendous strain on the muscles beneath the chin, causing constant stress on the lower jaw. Consequently, stress to the TMJ is increased.

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Most importantly, manual therapy for TMD includes precise treatment to the muscles, nerves and ligaments that surround the jaw. Active Release Technique is frequently our treatment of choice for adhesion or "velcro" (as we call it) between the sensitive anatomy of the jaw. Frequently we treat the soft tissues of the neck with Active Release Technique as well and the joints of the neck with chiropractic adjustments or manipulations because they are intimately involved in most jaw problems.

Moreover, TMJ exercise helps to normalize the resting position of the jaw and restores proper sequencing and timing of opening and closing the jaw, which helps promote TMD healing and rehabilitation. The manual treatment combined with the TMD rehab makes the joints, nerves, and muscles improve strength, restore proper mobility, and reduce pain as quickly as possible.

TMJ Manual Therapy Near Me

Recognize the symptoms and get the appropriate treatment locally at Cumberland Chiropractic and Sports Medicine clinic in Lebanon, TN. Our chiropractors will evaluate your problem and recommend the best chiropractic treatment or even referral to the appropriate surgical professional (in a small percentage of cases) for complete pain relief. Call us at (615) 444-2234 and schedule an appointment.