Types of TMJ Dysfunction (TMD)

Healthcare providers classify TMDs into three categories:

1. Disorders of your jaw joints.

2. Disorders of your chewing muscles.

3. Headaches that result from TMD.

What are the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction?

TMJ symptoms vary widely and may include:

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• Jaw pain.

• Facial pain.

• Shoulder or neck pain.

• Stiffness in your jaw.

• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth.

• Jaw popping or clicking.

• Headaches.

• Migraines.

• Earaches.

• Toothache.

• Tinnitus (ringing in your ears).

• A change in the way your teeth fit together (malocclusion).

What is the Main Cause of TMJ Dysfunction?

There’s no singular cause of TMD. Rather, it can be a result of many different factors or a combination of factors.

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TMJ causes may include:

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• Jaw injury (like a broken or dislocated jaw).

• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism).

• Arthritis in your jaw joint.

• Malocclusion (when your teeth don’t fit together exactly as they should).

• Stress.

Things that Make TMJ Dysfunction Worse

You can’t always control factors that cause TMJ dysfunction. But certain habits can make TMD worse, including:

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• Using your teeth as tools (like tearing off clothing tags).

• Poor posture. (This can place excess pressure on your neck, shoulder and facial muscles.)

• Chewing on pens, pencils or other items (a common “nervous habit” behavior).

• Chewing on ice or excessively chewing gum.

• Taking big bites of food. (This can overwork your jaw muscles.)

• Daytime teeth clenching or grinding.

• Sleeping on your stomach.

What are the Complications of TMJ Dysfunction?

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TMJ dysfunction can contribute to a range of complications, including chronic pain, limited chewing function and bruxism-related wear and tear.

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Some factors can overlap, and it may be difficult to identify the exact cause. In some cases, it can take a while to find a treatment that works well for you.

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ Dysfunction

In biomechanics, there is a rule that notes that the regions of the body that have the greatest mobility have the least stability; and reduced stability is coupled with greater injury and stress risk. Joints that have multiple planes of motion are particularly prone to increased stress and injury risk.

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The jaw not only opens and closes, but it can also move side-to-side as well as protrude forward and retract backwards. These diverse planes of motion increase the risk for biomechanical problems.

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It is increasingly being accepted that disorders of the cervical spine can cause temporomandibular disorders, even in the absence of direct injury or stress to the temporomandibular joint. In such cases, although the symptoms may be attributed to the jaw, the treatment is to the cervical spine.  The authors of a comprehensive TMD study concluded that the “temporomandibular system and the cervical spine function as a single entity.”  The authors of the study also present evidence that supports that whiplash injuries to the cervical spine alter the normal function of the TMJ. Injury to the upper cervical spine causes a reflex to the TMJ muscles, causing TMD.

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How Chiropractic Treatments Help TMJ

Adjustments from a chiropractor can resolve TMJ pain stemming from poor jaw alignment, stress, grinding teeth (bruxism), and jaw injury. The adjustments will also relieve neck pain, tension, headaches, and cavitations (cracking and popping sounds).

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The focus of chiropractic treatment for TMJ is to alleviate pain and improve function in the jaw and surrounding muscles. This is done by using a combination of techniques such as manual adjustments, instrument adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercises to help realign the jaw, reduce muscle tension, and improve flexibility.  Dr. Anderson may also focus on the cervical spine as well as the upper back and shoulders, as these areas are closely related to jaw function and can affect it. By addressing any misalignments or restrictions in these areas, Dr. Anderson can help reduce tension and improve mobility in the jaw.