About TMJ Disorder:

Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) disorders are a group of complex problems of the jaw joints that can be caused by a variety of medical problems such as teeth grinding, dental problems, stress and chewing gum habitually. The jaw joints are composed of a network of muscles, tendons and bones which we rely on day to day to open and close our jaw for everyday tasks such as talking and eating. Problems in this area can cause head and neck pain, headaches, a jaw that is locked in position or difficult to open, problems biting, and jaw clicking or popping sounds when you bite.

Symptoms:

• Headache and facial pain
• Migraine
• Ear pain
• Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
• Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
• Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Neck and shoulder pain

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Treatment for TMJ Disorder:

Current biomedical treatment for TMJ disorders include anti-inflammatories, painkillers, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and corticosteroid injections. These tend to offer short-term symptomatic relief and often come with some unpleasant side effects.

Acupuncture has been shown to be a highly effective method for reducing the pain of this disorder as well as restoring effective joint function. It can help to relax the muscles surrounding the joints, as well as treat the underlying stress that often accompanies these overworked muscles. When pursing treatment with acupuncture, a complete health assessment is performed to determine the underlying reason for the condition. This assessment is to make a diagnosis based on the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The result of the assessment determines how each individual case will be treated. Just as western medicine will diagnose different reasons for the TMJ dysfunction, TCM will also diagnose a particular pattern or differentiation for each patient. Using acupuncture and TCM principles to address the cause and symptoms may enable you to achieve fast, effective pain relief and may promote long term resolution of symptoms. Correction of the underlying imbalance that allowed the condition to manifest will reduce the likelihood of recurrence.