Are your days usually occupied by thoughts like "I hate my jaw pain; it's taking a toll on everything!" and "Will I be able to get rid of jaw pain and live a normal life?" Have you taken advantage of every possible source of TMJ relief but still experience recurring symptoms? Indeed, it's not easy to deal with a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJD.
It can readily cause physical impairment because the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a significant role in the movement of your jaw and supports your essential functions such as chewing, speaking, and yawning. It also helps you do things like laughing and smiling.
When your TMJ becomes inflamed or damaged, it can trigger symptoms that significantly impact your quality. For example, physical pain and discomfort can prevent you from doing basic things and the things you love doing. If this continues, it can lead to depression and anxiety due to the chronic discomfort and pain it causes.
If you're struggling with TMJ disorder, it's essential to seek professional help to find relief. You can go to a Southgate TMJ Chiropractor to manage your TMJ disorder and ease your symptoms. Eventually, you can reclaim your life and enjoy doing things you love without worrying about pain again.
When your TMJ becomes inflamed or damaged, it can cause many symptoms. They can vary from person to person, but some of the most common signs include the following:
One of the primary symptoms of TMJ disorder is pain in the jaw joint. Notably, many patients seeking a Southgate TMJ Chiropractor describe their pain as a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain that makes it difficult to open or close the mouth.
If you're suffering from TMJ disorder, you may find it challenging to chew or bite down on food, causing discomfort or pain in the jaw joint. When this persists, you're also at risk for malnutrition, which can lead to serious health repercussions.
The jaw joint is located close to the ears, so it's not uncommon to experience pain or tenderness in the ears when you have a TMJ disorder. Because of this symptom, TMJ disorder often gets mistaken for an ear infection.
TMJ disorder can also lead to headaches, including tension headaches or migraines. About 80% of people who suffer from TMJ disorder also experience headaches due to referred pain
Some people with TMJ disorder may hear clicking, popping, or grating sounds when they open or close their mouths.
In severe cases of TMJ disorder, the jaw can become stuck or locked in an open or closed position, making it difficult to talk, eat, or even breathe.
This can happen when the jaw joint is not functioning correctly. When the joint is misaligned or damaged, it can cause the bite to feel different, leading to discomfort and difficulty eating or speaking. This symptom can show as an uneven or misaligned bite, trigger difficulty biting or chewing food, or lead to a change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
If you're experiencing any or a combination of these symptoms, seeking professional help to diagnose and get proper care for your TMJ disorder is essential. An Upper Cervical doctor like Dr. Brock can help assess your symptoms and recommend a series of chiropractic adjustments to alleviate your pain and improve your quality of life.
The exact cause of TMJ disorder can be challenging to pinpoint, but some of the possible contributing factors include the following:
If you endure a blow to the jaw or a dislocation of the joint, it can damage the cartilage or cause misalignment, leading to TMJ disorder.
The unhealthy habit of teeth grinding or clenching can put excessive pressure on the jaw joint, leading to inflammation and pain. Teeth grinding can happen during sleep, so some patients seeking a Southgate TMJ Chiropractor are advised to wear mouthguards.
Certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, can affect the jaw joint and cause TMJ disorder.
Emotional or psychological stresses can unconsciously cause you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth, aggravating your TMJ disorder symptoms.
Some people develop misaligned teeth or an uneven bite because of how their teeth grow. This can cause them to misuse their jaw muscles, leading to TMJ disorder.
Unaddressed misalignments in the Upper Cervical spine can disrupt the normal alignment and movement of the jaw joint, leading to TMJ disorders. Correcting these misalignments will require professional help from an Upper Cervical Chiropractor.
Upper Cervical Care is a natural and promising option to ease TMJ disorder symptoms. This method corrects misalignments in the Upper Cervical spine to improve and support proper jaw function. In addition, gentle chiropractic adjustments can relieve tension in the neck and jaw muscles caused by the misalignment of the topmost bones of the spine.
Now, you may be wondering, “How do I know if I need Upper Cervical Care?” or “What are the symptoms of Upper Cervical misalignment in Southgate MI?”
It’s a good idea to check your medical history for previously sustained neck or head trauma. Have you had whiplash or concussions during your younger years? Did you hurt your head while carrying heavy machinery at work?
Additionally, we suggest looking at common symptoms of Upper Cervical spine misalignments, such as changes in gait, unlevelled shoulders and hips, and recurring neck pain. If you have these symptoms and a history of neck and head injuries, visit our Upper Cervical Chiropractic practice.
Upper Cervical Chiropractors are experts in detecting and correcting misalignments of your upper cervical spine, which can lead to TMJ disorder. You can achieve natural and long-lasting relief by addressing the underlying cause of your TMJ symptoms rather than just managing pain. Upper Cervical Care has helped many TMJ patients return to their pain-free lives.
If you're experiencing TMJ symptoms, you no longer have to endure the pain and suffer in silence. Book an appointment with our office Ascension Chiropractic to discover how Upper Cervical Care can help you achieve natural and long-lasting relief from your TMJ symptoms.
