How a Chiropractor Can Help You with Your TMJ Problems

It is no secret that more Americans than ever are beginning to suffer from TMJ or Jaw problems. Thankfully, there is a safe approach to this problem that can help keep TMJ's problems at bay. Harrisburg Joint and Muscle in Lemoyne, PA has some informational resources on this subject on how a chiropractor can help you overcome your TMJ problems using chiropractic care. Let's take a closer look into the subject and find out how this is possible at our office!

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)?

TMD is a change in the normal movement of your jaw joint. This typically comes with pain on one or both sides of your jaw, headaches and neck pain. There are several reasons TMD can occur. One of the most common is grinding and clenching your teeth. When you grind and clench your teeth, what you are doing is over-stressing the jaw muscles and joint leading to trigger points and adhesions building up.  Grinding and clenching can be worsened in individuals with increased stress, anxiety, neck pain or back pain.

Another common reason for TMJ dysfunction is uneven use of the jaw. As the jaw is used almost all day to talk, chew, bite, yawn etc. it can often become uneven in its movement with one side becoming stronger than the other. Over time this unevenness can cause tightness leading to pain in your jaw, neck and upper back with headaches and toothaches (not from the teeth themselves but from referred jaw pain). If left untreated, this change in your jaw movements can cause permanent changes in your jaw movement even leading to arthritis in the joint. We can prevent this!

Chiropractic treatment and TMJ pain/TMD

Before Chiropractic college, Dr. Richelle Demers was in the dental field for 10 years as a dental assistant and lab technician. Dr. Demers is highly trained in jaw joint biomechanics and has taken additional training in Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). She treats this specialized joint in the office customizing treatments to your exact condition. Some common therapies she uses to treat this joint is active release (massage) of the tight muscles, therapeutic ultrasound and gentle adjustments. As neck and upper back conditions commonly present with TMD, Dr. Demers always assesses these regions along with her TMJ evaluation.

A Chiropractic Office That Has Your Best Interests in Mind

Let Harrisburg Joint and Muscle in Lemoyne, PA take care of your TMJ problems and set you on the path toward recovery. We have years of experience in the chiropractic field and are ready to help you improve the pain you may be experiencing. TMD can produce a lot of pain and change in your daily routines if it is not taken care of. This is why we recommend you to visit our office if you have been suffering from TMD so we can help you overcome this condition. Give us a call today at 717-999-4347 to schedule your appointment today. One of our Doctors will be able to answer any questions that you have and book your next appointment with us!