TMJ Dysfunction In Shawano WI

Hello everyone it's Dr. Aeric and I wanted to take some time to talk about a condition that we as chiropractors see often while treating patients in Shawano WI. Today we will be discussing temporomandibular joint dysfunction aka jaw pain. This pain can be very irritating and can get in the way of many activities such as eating, talking and sleeping. We will dive into what actually causes this pain and the different things we can do as providers to help resolve these issues.

What Causes TMJ Dysfunction In Shawano WI?

There are a handful of common causes that can lead to TMJ dysfunction. The first would be a sprain of the joint which would lead to painful chewing, pain on movement in forward and lateral planes, and pain on passive stretch. This would typically be following a trauma, oral surgery/dental procedures, or even chewing hard for extended periods of time.

Synovitis is a way to say there is inflammation of the joint capsule and is another cause of pain in the jaw. Similar to a sprain the causes include dental procedures, excessive chewing, misaligned teeth, or even wide yawning. Often times synovitis is more painful on full closure of the jaw.

The final cause of jaw pain that we will cover is disc derangement and it is probably what most people think of when they discuss “TMJ”. This is pain in the jaw with a palpable and sometimes audible clicking noise. This happens when the articular disc that sits between the mandible and temporal bones becomes displaced from its normal position.

These are 3 of the main conditions that cause jaw pain but there are also surrounding structures and soft tissues that play a factor in causing pain the jaw as well. The muscles involved include the masseter, temporalis, and medial/lateral pterygoid.

How can we help with this?

There are several therapies we as chiropractors can use to help alleviate the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction and address the underlying cause of the condition. These therapies include adjustment of the jaw, massage of the surrounding muscles, and examination and treatment of the upper cervical spine as that plays a big factor in the function of the TMJ as well.

If you find yourself or someone you know having jaw pain come on in and get examined to see if there is something we can do for you!