TMJ DYSFUNCTION - HOW TO STOP TMJD SYMPTOMS
TMJD Definition, cause and symptoms -
This umbrella term refers to pain and dysfunction of the muscles of mastication and the temporomandibular joint.
The symptoms are primarily pain in and around the jaw, face and temple area, tension headaches, locking of the jaw or difficulty opening the mouth fully, clenching or grinding, dizziness and blurred vision.
It’s very important to understand why this happens in order to be able to treat it successfully.
In the great majority of cases, TMJD symptoms are caused by stressors present in our environment: stress, postural imbalances and other stressors cause trigger points and myofascial restrictions to develop in specific muscles that trigger what I call “the jaw cycle” or TMJD symptoms.
It’s a combination of factors that ultimately cause the development of the symptoms. All factors are not easily medically treated. You can’t treat postural imbalances with pills or stress. The fact that it doesn’t have a straight forward “easy” magic pill solution and the fact that requires a multidisciplinary approach to create a successful treatment plan for it, makes it a complex presentation for our conventional medical system.
People with this presentation are usually left at the mercy, without a suggested clear treatment plan, simply because there isn’t one available within the conventional medical system.
The most common and almost always only solution provided, if we can call it that, is a mouth guard. These rarely work, with most people chewing through it in a few weeks while reporting no change in their symptoms. It is though a lucrative business with people that experience TMJD symptoms desperate for any solution available. I myself was told that my own TMJD symptoms were untreatable by another professional, all caused by the way my mandible bone developed. I am now pain free.
Most times the cause of TMJD symptomatology gets looked at the wrong way, blaming the joint directly for the symptoms when they are in fact the result of other stressors (stress, postural imbalance, diet, etc) triggering trigger points and myofascial restrictions. Once the jaw cycle is triggered it triggers itself further worsening and becoming a very difficult and debilitating presentation to live with.
TMJD Definition, cause and symptoms -
This umbrella term refers to pain and dysfunction of the muscles of mastication and the temporomandibular joint.
The symptoms are primarily pain in and around the jaw, face and temple area, tension headaches, locking of the jaw or difficulty opening the mouth fully, clenching or grinding, dizziness and blurred vision.
It’s very important to understand why this happens in order to be able to treat it successfully.
In the great majority of cases, TMJD symptoms are caused by stressors present in our environment: stress, postural imbalances and other stressors cause trigger points and myofascial restrictions to develop in specific muscles that trigger what I call “the jaw cycle” or TMJD symptoms.
It’s a combination of factors that ultimately cause the development of the symptoms. All factors are not easily medically treated. You can’t treat postural imbalances with pills or stress. The fact that it doesn’t have a straight forward “easy” magic pill solution and the fact that requires a multidisciplinary approach to create a successful treatment plan for it, makes it a complex presentation for our conventional medical system.
People with this presentation are usually left at the mercy, without a suggested clear treatment plan, simply because there isn’t one available within the conventional medical system.
The most common and almost always only solution provided, if we can call it that, is a mouth guard. These rarely work, with most people chewing through it in a few weeks while reporting no change in their symptoms. It is though a lucrative business with people that experience TMJD symptoms desperate for any solution available. I myself was told that my own TMJD symptoms were untreatable by another professional, all caused by the way my mandible bone developed. I am now pain free.
Most times the cause of TMJD symptomatology gets looked at the wrong way, blaming the joint directly for the symptoms when they are in fact the result of other stressors (stress, postural imbalance, diet, etc) triggering trigger points and myofascial restrictions. Once the jaw cycle is triggered it triggers itself further worsening and becoming a very difficult and debilitating presentation to live with.
SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT FOR TMJD
A successful treatment approach is clear when we understand the above, it goes as follows:
1- Myofascial restrictions and trigger point treatment.
The treatment of specific muscles known to refer TMJD pain and symptoms, around neck, shoulders, face, scalp and hip/pelvic area.
The treatment will ideally be focused as well on increasing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the system in charge of restoration and the decrease of the hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. With the increase of parasympathetic system activity we try to change the hormone production, from stress hormones to “happy, feel-good” hormones, which is important to reduce stress levels.
2 – Mobilisation and exercise rehabilitation to correct the postural imbalances that might be contributing to the presentation. For example, a forward head posture, a kyphotic spine or a pelvic shift.
3 – Meditation or mindfulness techniques to deal with the mind.
These three things together are a very effective treatment for TMJD symptoms. They are non-invasive and can cause no harm, they are affordable compared to alternatives like tailored made mouth guards.
SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT FOR TMJD
A successful treatment approach is clear when we understand the above, it goes as follows:
1- Myofascial restrictions and trigger point treatment.
The treatment of specific muscles known to refer TMJD pain and symptoms, around neck, shoulders, face, scalp and hip/pelvic area.
The treatment will ideally be focused as well on increasing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the system in charge of restoration and the decrease of the hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. With the increase of parasympathetic system activity we try to change the hormone production, from stress hormones to “happy, feel-good” hormones, which is important to reduce stress levels.
2 – Mobilisation and exercise rehabilitation to correct the postural imbalances that might be contributing to the presentation. For example, a forward head posture, a kyphotic spine or a pelvic shift.
3 – Meditation or mindfulness techniques to deal with the mind.
These three things together are a very effective treatment for TMJD symptoms. They are non-invasive and can cause no harm, they are affordable compared to alternatives like tailored made mouth guards.
HERE ARE 3 EXAMPLES OF THE TREATMENT PROCESS
Recorded for my TMJD online program that I’ll be releasing very soon.
1. Myofascial release - front of the neck
2. Spine mobility drill
3. Mid back - Latissimus dorsae strengthening
If you are experiencing this presentation, get in touch with us for advise or book a treatment session.