Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ or TMD)

TMJD or TMD are disorders involving the jaw, the jaw joint (technically known as the temporomandibular joint), and the muscles involved in opening and closing the mouth. There is no known cause of TMJD, however certain factors such as jaw injury, arthritis, poor posture, and teeth grinding contribute to this condition.

• Signs and Symptoms of TMJD
• jaw tightness and/or soreness
• jaw pain or neck pain
  popping, clicking or locking of the jaw when opening and closing the mouth

While there is not a known cause for TMJD, there are a variety of contributing factors: jaw injury, arthritis, poor posture, teeth grinding and stress. To treat TMJD, a doctor or dentist may recommend minimizing chewing by eating softer foods, prescribing pain relievers or NSAIDS or physical therapy. In rare instances, surgery might be suggested.

Acupuncture addresses TMJ pain by working to reduce the inflammation and pain as well as relaxing the muscles surrounding the joint. The treatment will also help to alleviate stress which may be contributing to the jaw pain.

Here are some practices that you can follow when you begin to experience tension:

• Quick Body Scan – close your eyes and scan from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. When you notice an area of tension, relax those muscles and continue the scan.
• Be mindful of your posture, especially when sitting at a desk or looking at your phone. Leaning the head forward puts extra pressure on the neck and shoulders, causing strain on surrounding muscles.
• Keep the spine erect and roll your shoulders back and down from your ears.
• When doing tasks that require concentration, place the tip of your touch to the roof of your mouth. This will make it harder to tense the jaw.
• Wear a mouth guard when sleeping to prevent teeth grinding.
• Consider stress reduction activities such as meditation, qi gong, and taking long slow walks.
• Acupuncture!!!

A conversation with your acupuncturist will help them determine the root cause of the TMJD and the course of treatment to take. The number of treatments needed vary from person to person based on several factors, including severity and chronicity of the condition. A course of herbal medicine may be suggested as well.