TMJ Pain. What Are My Treatment Options In Texarkana? 

Here is a recent question that represents a common problem, chronic TMJ pain. Read on to find out more about the problem and a treatment that might finally help you get better.

“I have TMJ pain. I’ve seen a dentist, doctors, and a PT for it. It still really bothers me.”

“I have been told by my PT to exercise it and not avoid hard foods. My dentist recommended avoiding hard foods because my jaw muscles were over-developed and I need to rest them.”

“Is there anything else I can do to help my jaw pain?”

It really depends on your particular problem.

I would generally tend to agree with your dentist, especially if the problem in acute (very recent) or very painful.

Everyone is different though, even those with similar symptoms.

It would be somewhat unusual for the jaw muscles to be overdeveloped though. Again, virtually anything is possible.

It might be that the muscles of the jaw are in spasm.

If you are still experiencing problems even after seeing other professionals for treatment (or you may want to see a chiropractor first to see if your pain can be helped), it makes sense to consider seeing a chiropractor.

I’ve treated many cases of TMJ/TMJD/jaw pain over the years with good success. The problems that I have personally seen in my Texarkana practice often respond fairly quickly to chiropractic treatment.

Co-management of jaw pain with a dentist and a chiropractor may be a very good option in many cases.

There is limited research on the topic of chiropractic helping TMJ disorders in the literature.

This is primarily because chiropractic hasn’t spent much time and money researching the treatment yet.

Even so, many chiropractors report excellent success in TMJ treatment because the pain can result from abnormal joint position of the jaw similar to what Chiropractors treat to improve Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Headaches.

Jaw pain can also be related to a mechanical problem in the neck because the jaw and upper neck area localization in the brain is so close that the signals can get misinterpreted and you can feel pain in the jaw that is coming from the neck. The opposite can be true as well.

The research on Chiropractic Treatment of TMJ Problems that has been published appears to be very favorable, although it has been small case studies.

1. There is a report here (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12975628) that demonstrated improvement in symptoms and universal improvement in ability to open the jaw with chiropractic treatment seen in all participants.

2. Another study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16320863) reported improvement in a patient with chronic (7 years duration) of jaw pain with chiropractic treatment. Significant improvement in pain was reported and ability to open the jaw was measured.

3. This case study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7790790) looked at chiropractic treatment of a young lady with chronic (4 years duration) TMJ pain with an anteriorly displaced temporomandibular disc with adhesion. Other treatments had failed to help her.

After 8 chiropractic treatments, the patient reported no pain. Her jaw’s ability to open was also returned to normal over the chiropractic treatment period.

If you are suffering with TMJ pain then chiropractic care may be able to help you.

Not every chiropractor treats TMJ problems, so it would make sense to check with them before scheduling your appointment.

If you have TMJ/jaw pain and live in the Texarkana area, come see us at Hagebusch Chiropractic.

There is a very good chance that we can help you.

Click Here or give us a call at 903-793-1084 to set up an appointment.

Cited in the post:

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Sep;26(7):421-5.
Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument: a prospective case series.
Devocht JW1, Long CR, Zeitler DL, Schaeffer W.

Altern Ther Health Med. 2005 Nov-Dec;11(6):70-3.
Chiropractic treatment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument and protocol.
DeVocht JW1, Schaeffer W, Lawrence DJ.

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995 Feb;18(2):98-104.
Chiropractic manipulation of anteriorly displaced temporomandibular disc with adhesion.
Saghafi D1, Curl DD.