Jaw and TMJ Dysfunction

Jaw and Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a very common complaint we see in practice. From dull and aching neck pain, through to pain while eating, at Byron Bay Chiropractic Centre we understand how debilitating TMJ pain can be - which is why we are dedicated to helping you recover naturally.

Are you experiencing any of the following:

• Stiffness in your jaw, head, neck or shoulders

• Difficulty opening the mouth completely

• Headaches

• Pain or clicking while chewing

• Pain or tenderness of your jaw

• Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints

• Aching pain in and around your ear

• Locked and painful movement of your TMJ

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disorder of the jaw muscles and nerves caused by injury or inflammation to the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint is the connection between the jawbone and the skull.

TMJ can range from discomfort to extremely debilitating and disruptive to your day-to-day activities. A common  side effect of TMJ dysfunction is headaches and stiffness due to the large number of nerves in this area. 

Many different types of conditions causing TMJ pain to exist, which is why it is important for your chiropractor to have an accurate diagnosis. 

Common causes of TMJ pain:

• Poor posture and spinal alignment

• The disc and joint moves out of its proper alignment 

• The disc or cartilage is worn

• Trigeminal nerve dysfunction

• Sporting injuries and trauma

• Long-term (chronic) grinding or clenching of teeth

• Sleep issues

• Overuse and repetitive strain injuries

Diagnosis:

The first step in helping you manage and prevent your problem is to ensure we have an accurate diagnosis. We achieve this through a comprehensive clinical history, thorough physical examination including; neurological, orthopaedic, and musculoskeletal tests, and possibly further diagnostic investigations such as X-Rays (if required).

Once we have the information required to make an accurate diagnosis, we will explain our findings to you in a simple and concise manner. Based on the information we collect, we can then tailor a treatment plan specific to your condition and goals. 

Our team is dedicated to helping you manage and prevent TMJ pain in a holistic manner, so you can get back to doing what you love. If at any stage we determine that you need to be referred out to another provider we will be sure to find the right people for you.

Treatment:

Here at Byron Bay Chiropractic Centre we take a holistic approach to treating jaw and TMJ pain. We focus on the entire neuro-musculoskeletal system, rather than simply the site of pain or injury. 

We look to the spine as a whole, extremity joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers), muscles, ligaments, tendons, as well as the nervous system.

We may employ a variety of Chiropractic techniques to address TMJ dysfunction including:

• Manual adjusting 

• Assessment and treatment of ribs, neck, cranium, and spine

• Adjusting tools for alignment

• Soft tissue therapy and trigger point release techniques

• Cranial, and sutural release work - read more here

  We use techniques based on your age, range of motion, comfort levels, personal preferences and health history.

Prevention and education:

In order to help you experience lasting results outside of our practice, our team will equip you with knowledge on how to prevent future injuries, give you sound ergonomic advice, as well as prescribe specific rehabilitation exercises just for you.

If you’d like to discuss further, please book an appointment with our chiropractors here.