What is TMJ OR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT?
TMJ connects your jaw to the skull on each side of your face and acts like a sliding hinge. The temporomandibular joint is an essential part of your body in your daily activities like talking, chewing, and even yawning. The upper part consists of the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone and the lower part consists of the Condyle of the mandible. There is a thin disk between these 2 parts that help them slide easily. Damage or injury can lead to pain and discomfort and can cause TMJ syndrome or TMD(Temporomandibular disorder). Temporomandibular joint syndrome/disorder is a disorder of the jaw muscles and nerves caused by injury or inflammation to the temporomandibular joint
TMJ syndrome and pain symptoms
- Dull pain around the TMJ or almost front of the ear
- Earache or ear pain
- Stiff or sore jaw muscles
- pain around the ear
- pain or difficulty while chewing
- locking, popping or clicking of the jaw
- swelling of the face in the area of TMJ
- toothache
- Nerve inflammation
- Teeth grinding [Bruxism]
- Headaches like migraine
- blurred vision
TMJ syndrome and pain causes
- Physical trauma
- Stress and anxiety
- Genetic factors
- teeth grinding [bruxism]
- chewing gum
- orthodontic braces
Osteopathy for TMJ | Jaw alignment clinic in Vancouver BC
In Osteopathy as we explained in other articles like what is osteopathy? we use a combination of hands-on techniques that can release the tight muscles of the jaw, mobilize the TMJ joint and add length to the jaw muscles. More, the osteopathy can mitigate tensions and stress and anxiety and is considered a great treatment for headaches. Craniosacral therapy can re-align the misalignments of the skull bones including Temporal bone and Mandible that form the TMJ joint. Osteopathy can also increase parasympathetic activity that helps bruxism. Nerve entrapment is another cause of TMJ disorder that can be treated through osteopathic techniques.
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