If you experience jaw pain, discomfort, clicking, or dislocation accompanied by pain in the jaw, particularly where the temporal joint meets the rest of the skull, you may have a condition called temporomandibular disorder (TMD) or more commonly known as TMJ. Caused by a plethora of circumstances, such as injury, teeth grinding, or bone degeneration, TMJ can cause chronic or more subtle pain in the jaw region, impacting the facial muscles and, therefore, most of your daily activities. Thankfully, a chiropractor can help fix the issue rather than focusing on ways to subdue the pain for short periods. Here's what you should know. 

Why See a Chiropractor for TMJ? 

1. They'll Figure Out the Root of the Problem 

Once you have TMJ, it can be challenging to tell where it stems from. The pain can either reside in the jaw muscles or the spine, and while pain medicine will dull either location, actual treatment must be focused. If the spine is the cause, a chiropractor will help with realignment, which eases TMJ pain. If it's muscle-related, they'll work to re-strengthen those areas, mitigating any TMJ-related discomfort. We also use low level laser treatment and percussor massage to ease the tension of the muscles and joints. 

2. There's No Need for Medicine 

Because a chiropractor is trained to find the root of the problem while managing and eventually fixing it, there's no need to rely on pain medicine. While these medications can be helpful, they can also be harmful in the long run. Relying on them can cause more injury in the future because it's hard to assess what hurts when pain blockers are at play. A chiropractor essentially eradicates the need for pain meds by ridding you of the original cause. 

3. You'll Have Exercises to Use at Home 

A chiropractor will give you exercises to strengthen the muscles the jaw relies on and adjust the portion of the spine that impacts the jaw, relieving a lot of the pain and pressure associated with TMJ. Many of the exercises are easy enough to practice at home. The core muscles to focus on are the masseter, the temporalis, and the pterygoid. They can be massaged with a few fingers and varied pressure at home to supplement each visit. 

If you suspect you have TMJ, visit Grayson Chiropractic & Rehab in Lawrenceville, GA, for relief. Led by Dr. Dana Kind, they offer various chiropractic care and physical therapy options. Whether you need specific treatment for an injury or you're interested in overall wellness, they can help. Visit them online for a complete list of services, or call (678) 722-5049 to schedule a free consultation.