The National Institute of Health (NIH) states that at any given time over 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint) Disease. Both men and women suffer from TMJ...but the largest segment of TMJ sufferers seeking treatment is women of child bearing years (I have been treating TMJ for years and I did not know this).
According to the TMJ Association, TMJ Diseases & Disorders-Overview (see causes) page- TMJs are a collection of poorly understood conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movement. Injury and conditions that routinely effect other joints in the body, such as Arthritis, also effect the TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ).
Here is a list of the most common TMJ symptoms:
- Unable to open the mouth without pain
- Headaches
- Night pain
- Neck, back, and shoulder pain
- Swelling on side of the face
- Clicking & grinding of jaw
- Bite feels "out or off"
- Jaw "locks" when trying to open mouth
From my experience as a doctor, and as a patient, TMJ symptoms can vary quite a bit from minor irritations to severe pain and disability. Burt Reynolds had TMJ and lost 40 lbs holed up in his bedroom for months (he could not eat solid food). The media thought he was dying of some killer disease. I have had TMJ and it can be really really bad (I've only had it a couple of times). The good news is there are some very effective treatments out there.
I know first hand chiropractic, acupuncture, active release techniques (ART), and relaxation/visualization methods can help. Sure, sometimes patients need muscle relaxers and pain killers...but you can try them as a last resort.
I find a good cervical pillow, like a TempurPedic pillow really helps also.
Anyway...that's TMJ. If you suffer from TMJ and live in San Francisco...we can help...just give us a call at 415-392-2225. Or...visit us online atwww.ExecutiveExpressChiropractic.com.
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San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:
According to the TMJ Association, TMJ Diseases & Disorders-Overview (see causes) page- TMJs are a collection of poorly understood conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movement. Injury and conditions that routinely effect other joints in the body, such as Arthritis, also effect the TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ).
Here is a list of the most common TMJ symptoms:
From my experience as a doctor, and as a patient, TMJ symptoms can vary quite a bit from minor irritations to severe pain and disability. Burt Reynolds had TMJ and lost 40 lbs holed up in his bedroom for months (he could not eat solid food). The media thought he was dying of some killer disease. I have had TMJ and it can be really really bad (I've only had it a couple of times). The good news is there are some very effective treatments out there.
I know first hand chiropractic, acupuncture, active release techniques (ART), and relaxation/visualization methods can help. Sure, sometimes patients need muscle relaxers and pain killers...but you can try them as a last resort.
I find a good cervical pillow, like a TempurPedic pillow really helps also.
Anyway...that's TMJ. If you suffer from TMJ and live in San Francisco...we can help...just give us a call at 415-392-2225. Or...visit us online atwww.ExecutiveExpressChiropractic.com.