Can a Chiropractor Help With TMJ?

Can the team at Vidan Chiropractic help you get relief from your symptoms? The answer is “yes!” Read on to learn more, or contact us now  to schedule a chiropractic consultation for TMJ treatment in St. Louis right away.

Understanding TMJ/TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

TMJ and TMD are acronyms that are both used to refer to “Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.” This is a painful condition that affects the temporomandibular joint. You have two of these joints, located just below your ears. They are responsible for connecting your jaw to the skull.

TMJ occurs when these joints begin to malfunction. This can cause lots of symptoms like ear pain and ringing of the ears, headaches and neck pain, discomfort when chewing and biting, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, or even clicking and popping noises when you open or close your mouth.

TMJ can be difficult to treat because there are lots of factors that may contribute to it, and each one requires slightly different treatment. Here are some of the top contributing factors to TMJ.

• Jaw overuse – Chewing a lot of gum or eating lots of really tough foods could put stress on your jaw joints, causing TMJ.
• Teeth grinding – Similar to jaw overuse, clenching and grinding your teeth strains your jaw muscles and joints, and is a common contributing factor.
• Bad bite – If you don’t have a healthy bite, excess strain may be put on one or both of the temporomandibular joints when you bite and chew.
• Facial trauma – Direct trauma like a slip and fall or a hard hit while playing a contact sport could damage the temporomandibular joint, causing or contributing to TMJ.
• Certain health conditions – Arthritis and certain other medical conditions can cause or contribute to TMJ.

How Can Chiropractors Help With TMJ?

At our office St. Louis chiropractor, Dr. Alex Vidan, and our team offer several different TMJ therapies. Here’s how we can help you relieve pain, headaches, and other symptoms of your jaw condition:

• Soft tissue massage – Massaging certain jaw muscles like the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles can help relieve TMJ symptoms and restore your oral range of motion. Dr. Vidan and our team will manipulate and massage these muscles in specific ways to provide you with relief.
• Chiropractic adjustments – We can adjust the upper vertebrae of the neck as well as the joints of your jaw. With some gentle jaw realignment from Dr. Vidan, you can get relief from your TMJ symptoms.
• At-home massage and exercises – We may also recommend some at-home massaging and exercises to help keep your TMJ in good shape. Following Dr. Vidan’s treatment plan will help you get rid of your TMJ symptoms permanently.

Need Help With TMJ In St. Louis? Contact Our Team For An Appointment Today!

TMJ can be so painful that it interferes with your day-to-day life. If you need help with TMJ in St. Louis, Vidan Family Chiropractic is here for you. We’re always accepting new patients. And in just a few appointments, you can get the treatment you need to relieve your symptoms and get back to your daily routine. Contact us online or call today at 314-210-6556 to schedule your first appointment.