chiropractic treatment for TMJ (Page 1)

I tried this route last year. It didn't work for me. I'm trying neuromuscualr dentistry next. The saga for relief continues....

The massage and chiropractic actually seemed to aggravate my problem so please be careful; it took a week for my pain to subside to a med-free manageable level after my experience.

I'm also a teacher. My TMD didn't start until my first year teaching (I don't grind my teeth but I probably clench in my sleep). I think it has something to do with the stress of dealing with all those kids. Occupational hazard lol.

Did you find that talking exacerbates the tmj?
Do you feel it's muscular in nature?
I found that massage of the chest and anterior neck muscles helps, which I do once a week...
Where is your pain? Mine is in front of the ears and behind the ears and down into the lower jaw and neck... Thanks for the reply.........

I've had severe TMJ for years, worn out three splints (both upper and lower) and tried almost everything. I've found that a good acupuncturist can achieve amazing results. I felt relief after the first treatment, and long term improvement after 3 visits. Now I go every couple months to "maintain" the good status, or more frequently if I'm going through some period of stress.

I've had severe TMJ for years, worn out three splints (both upper and lower) and tried almost everything. I've found that a good acupuncturist can achieve amazing results. I felt relief after the first treatment, and long term improvement after 3 visits. Now I go every couple months to "maintain" the good status, or more frequently if I'm going through some period of stress.

the reason that the massage and chiro seemed to agrivat is because you either didnt have someone that was good and knew about it ---or you didnt give it a fair enough chance. these things take time and tend to get worse before they get better. --been there---- try to reduce stress as much as possible. perhaps take up some meditation or something of the sort

Hi Pstuart,

Talking doesn't seem to bother me, but I'm not big on lecturing, or talking much for that matter. I never really thought about it until now, but I suppose I'm kind of quiet. Has that been a consequence of the TMD or have I always been quiet. I was definitely more chatty, so perhaps the TMD has affected me more deeply than I first figured.

I have a scrip for muscle relaxers that don't do anything for the TMD; I suppose that if it was muscular in nature the meds would work. But I'll use your suggestion to get my husband to rub my shoulders and neck more often ---I had an MRI that revealed dislocated discs in the left and right joints and a lot of fluid in the air cells (?)

My pain is primarily in the right side of my jaw radiating into my right ear which pops and feels stuffy all the time and up into my temple and the orbit of my right eye. I get dizzy a lot and have weird ringing noises in my right ear too.

Chiropractic and massage have helped me I the past with pinched nerves, so I do believe in their efficacy, it just didn't help my TMD issue.

I think tmddyan may be right about the chiro and massage therapist not really knowing what they were doing; it was awful afterwards, I had to take a couple of days off work because I was seriously in pain afterward. There was no way I could deal with those kids in that state (or doped up on pain meds).

I did see a couple therapists to try to reduce stress (as I thought this was the culprit causing the TMD) and one of them put me on Lexapro. I also take yoga classes. The Lexapro actually helps quite a bit, but I gained 30 lbs on it without any changes in my activity levels or eating. Maybe I'm just sensitive to SSRIs? I'm really flexible as a result of the yoga, but alas, the TMD has gotten worse so I'm seeking a more (hopefully)permanent solution.

I'm trying neuromuscualr dentistry now (fingers crossed) I hope it works. I'll update you if it helps. Keep your experiences with the chiro up to date pls, I really hope it helps you.

Yeah ---i have to go to a certain massage therapist as the other one messed me up really bad. you have to be very careful---some "specialists" make themselves look good and say they can take care of this---but havnt a clue.

I have a consultation tomorrow with a chiropractor who says she does handle TMJ. What kind of questions should I ask her? After reading your bits on it, I'm now nervous. I'm in enough pain. Been to so many doctors, I'm fed up. Magnnesium seems to be helping, but I just started it. I will see. Hopeful. I think stress from another ailment brought this on.

I'm 24 yrs old and suffer from TMJ... it is a constant. I distraction I've even resulted to getting braces for a second time (which has only inflamed the problem). Like the rest of you, I am hopeful that something will work eventually... or someone will stumble onto a cure! I've been seeing an Occupational Therapist who practice Myofacial Release... I've had quite a bit of success with some of the techniques she uses, but also kind of bounced back and forth between getting better and getting worse. I don't know what to actual attribute all the changes in my jaw to. I am soon going to seek treatment from a chiropractor, but I'm a little nervous. Things are bad enough already and I certainly don't want them to get worse. My pain started in my right jaw only.. and just recently... like maybe in the past week.. It's in my left jaw too... (ahhh). That sounds like things aren't going my way, but I'm hopeful that maybe it's just an "adjustment phase"... has anyone had success with ANYTHING... I'm actually depressed due to all this, because I've become so frustrated with the situation (and my hopefulness is beginning to fade) (

"He is reserving judgement about a splint - I don't grind, altho I think I did initially."

Please bear in mind that splints do much more than preventing damage from grinding. For me, the repositioning of the teeth and jaws in relationship to one another, resolved all of my TMJ problems. Almost everyone I know who has resolved their TMD, did so with splints, but it did take them time to find the best one.

does seeing a chiropractic cure tmj?

Chiropractic Care and TMJ Problems a Case Study
In the January 2002 edition of the peer reviewed scientific journal, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, (JMPT) appeared a case study on a 41-year-old woman who sought chiropractic care with complaints of pain at the TMJ on both sides, ear pain, ringing in the ears, vertigo, decreased hearing ability, and a sensation of pressure or fullness in both ears. She also reported that movements of her jaw while talking or chewing provoked pain at the TMJ.

Before seeking chiropractic care she was treated for her TMJ by two medical doctors. She was also referred to an eye, ear, nose, and throat specialist, who diagnosed her with TMJ syndrome. Additionally, she was referred to a dentist for the problem. Medical recommendations were to apply heat to the area, reduce talking and yelling, and change her diet to a soft diet. Even with all this medical and dental care her symptoms steadily continued to get worse.

Eventually she sought the care of a chiropractor. After an examination it was determined by the chiropractor that the patient had an Atlas subluxation, (first bone in the neck). Care was begun by a series of adjustments. After only a few visits the patient reported significant improvement in her symptoms. After two and a half months she reported complete relief from the TMJ symptoms. She also reported a decrease in the frequency and severity of her headaches. Prior to starting chiropractic care, she was experiencing 1 to 2 migraine headache attacks per month. The effects of the chiropractic care were long term as shown at her 1-year follow-up where she had not experienced any headache symptoms for a period of 9 months and her TMJ complaints had completely resolved.

I guess good things come to those who wait. I have started to see a chiropractor for my TMJ. I've only had 2 adjustments but they have made the pain, earaches and headaches worse. I guess I'll just have to suck it up to bear the long term fruit!!!! I'll let you guys know how it goes. =)

I am a chiropractor and work on TMJ frequently in my office. If you are looking for care through a chiropractor ask if they work on the muscles of mastication internally and externally by the process of ART. I have a high success rate with my patients and rarely have adverse reactions to treatment. Also go to proficient dentist for a hard night guard if you grind at night. A proper Diagnosis is imperative in order to know the type of TMJ and the proper specialist for your care.

do you know good chiropractor in LA area?

Process of ART??

ART® is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Myofascial conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

What is an ART treatment like?
Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

I have been battling with TMJ for 8 months now. The pain has been so unbearable I sometimes feel like i'm going to go crazy. I tighten my jaw muscles when I am stressed. My HMO crap insurance has been putting me through the ringer for the last 6 month just for me to get a referral. I was popping almost 12 Advil a day to try and get some relief, but was unsuccessful. I tried every holistic method for some relief, and nothing seemed to help. My GP put me on an arthritis medication and sent me to an ear, nose, and throat specialist that put me on a very high dose of steroids and valium. I had two days of relief but the pain was back in full by the 5th day. The Ears, nose, and throat Doctor diagnosed me with sever TMJ, and I finally got the referral to see an Oral Surgeon. The only problem is that insurance will not cover me.

After doing my research on-line I figured out that I have classic symptoms of high stress, upper back and neck tension, pain in the upper back and neck from stress. I really think I could benefit from seeing a chiropractor, but I'm torn. Any help would be beneficial at this time. Do you think I would be better off seeing a Chiropractor or an Oral surgeon?

Some cases of TMJ are due to stress not only in the jaw but to the SCM muscles as well. It's not always a case of teeth grinding or even jaw clenching. Anxiety can cause muscle tension in the jaw, neck, shoulders and back. This CAN cause vertigo! Swelling around the TMJ joint can cause pressure on the middle ear, it can also put pressure on your salivary glands as well. It feels almost as if someone is pinching your parotid glands with their index finger and thumb. Make sure you find a Chiropractor that actually knows what TMJ is or feels like. Also, make sure the MD you go to knows what TMJ actually is as well. You'd be surprised how many healthcare professionals don't. Ice and exercise (opening and closing the jaw) is helpful. Good luck!

Definitely don't need an oral surgeon! There are ways to find people that specialize in TMJ in your area. Keep aware of your posture! no slouching. Stretch your SCM muscles as well because most the tension can arise from stress in these muscles. Stand in front of a mirror and open and close your jaw. Is your lower jaw opening parallel to your upper jaw or is it crooked? Also, if it does become inflamed, take ibuprofen (NSAID) to reduce the swelling therefore reducing the pain. ENT's are great, but don't associate the TMJ with muscle tension. Get an X-ray from a dentist to make sure you don't have a malocclusion or if your jaw has even popped out of the socket. If it's not a bone problem its likely just muscle tension (although if the tension is great enough it can contort the bones in your jaw). It takes a some work from a chiropractor to begin to attain some relief, but stick to it.

My lower jaw does open parallel, but my jaw popps on the right. This is something new that started happening within the last 3 months. It is happening more often. When I open my mouth it almost looks like my jaw goes out of place and then pops back in.

Now that I am reading more and more about TMJ and stress, I think this is my problem. Now to find a good chiropractor in Chicago land area.

Thank you for your help!!!