Do you ever complain that it hurts when you chew, open wide to yawn or use your jaw?
Do you have pain or soreness in front of the ear, in the jaw muscle, cheek, the teeth or the temples?
Does your jaw make loud noises or get stuck or locked as you open it?
Have you spoken to your dentist about ongoing jaw pain?
If so, you may have a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD/TMJD), sometimes also referred to as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJS) or shortened to TMJ. Many times, TMJ issues will manifest with symptoms other than jaw pain. Headaches, blurred vision, vertigo, ear and hearing problems are also quite common. Our chiropractors have successfully treated hundreds of people just like you, who have tried everything with no relief, or were even told there was nothing that could be done.
Defining TMJ
TMJ (or TMD Syndrome) is a group of conditions, often painful, that affect the jaw joint. More specifically, it is an acute or chronic inflammation of the joint that connects the mandible to the skull. TMJS / TMD Symptoms may include:
Radiating pain in the face, neck, or shoulders.
Limited movement or locking of the jaw.
Painful clicking or grating when opening or closing the mouth.
A significant change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Headaches, migraines, earaches, dizziness, hearing problems and difficulty swallowing.
What are some Causes of TMJ/TMD?
Leading cause: Trauma to the jaw is a leading cause of TMJ/TMD including such things as sports injuries, auto accidents, and prolonged dental work, just to name a few.
Other causes:
TMJ/TMD can also be caused by conditions in the head and neck.
Clenching the teeth during times of psychological stress can be a major factor in TMJ/TMD.
Eating hard and/or chewy foods.
Using you teeth as a tool (they’re not for cutting, opening beer bottles or cracking crab shells).
Chewing gum excessively or chewing on one side of the mouth too frequently.
How is TMJ diagnosed?
To help diagnose TMJ, one of our doctors will perform a thorough exam including monitoring the dimensions of the jaw joint and the muscle balance.
Sometimes special imaging, an X-ray or an MRI may be needed to help confirm the diagnosis.
Special appliances or splints may be necessary.
Many dentists will give the diagnosis and refer the patients to us for treatment.
Dr. Lee and his staff is one of only a handful of chiropractors in Harford County, Maryland to treat TMJ syndrome (or TMD).
What is the treatment for TMJ?
Our staff will customize a treatment plan which may include:
Chiropractic manipulation to correct the functional movement of the jaw joint and increase range of motion.
Trigger point-specific massage therapy to loosen the muscles of the jaw, head and neck.
Physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound to control pain and inflammation and increase mobility.
Physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area.
Ancillary treatments such as Dry Needling, Laser and Acupuncture also work well.
Each and every patient is unique and all treatment plans are customized to accommodate the specific cause of TMJ, treat the symptoms, heal the injury, and strengthen the area. We believe in not only relieving the pain and range of motion restrictions but healing in such a way that symptoms do not return.
If you are looking for a TMJ specialist in Bel Air, Maryland or the surrounding areas, please contact Susquehanna Spine & Rehab today for your free consultation.
We can help you feel better. Give us a call or text us today!
“TMJ was taking over my busy life as a SAHM (stay at-home mom) of two small children. I could barely get through the day due to the pain in my head and jaw. Thank goodness I found Dr. Lee to help me. He explained to me that the TMJ Disorder was caused not only by my clenching and teeth grinding but also by muscle tension in my neck and back. After a few adjustments I started feeling much better, and now I am pain-free. The whole team at Susquehanna Spine & Rehab really cares about their patients. They always made appointments convenient for me allowing me to bring my two children. Dr. Lee is now treating my Plantar Fasciitis that developed during my first pregnancy 6 years ago. Thank you Dr. Lee and staff!”
– Patti, age 38
Message From Doc
This is NOT an all-inclusive list of conditions. If you suffer from any type of pain or limited movement due to injury, age, or genetics, we've very likely helped countless others with the same conditions. If you're in pain, your body is telling you something is wrong. Even if you've been told by others there is no evidence of injury and therefore no treatment option, we can help.
Give us a call or text at 443-512-0025 and we'll figure it out together!
