The TMJ
disorder has now become quite a serious issue because a
huge number of people in the United States
and in the other countries as well are affected by this
and they suffer from TMJ pain. And since it is chronic
in nature, the pain seems to be coming back, again and
again. No matter what TMJ disorder medication the person
opts for, it does not seem to be helping. And obviously,
this has made this a matter of grave
concern.
What Is
TMJ And How Does The TMJ Syndrome
Happen?
TMJ
Syndrome or Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome is a
physical disorder that often affects our jaw joint.
Located right below the ears, it connects the lower jaw
bone (mandible) to a portion of the skull (temporal
bone) in the form of a hinge, thus causing the jaw to
open and close. However, it is assisted by facial
tissues, muscles, nerves and ligaments while a soft disc
of cartilage that lies between the temporal bone and the
mandible absorbs mild shocks suffered by the joint while
we chew or bite something very
hard.
The
peculiarity of this joint lies in the fact that it works
as a hinge on one hand, allowing the mouth to open and
close, while on the other, it permits the mandible to
slide forward a bit to facilitate proper bite. It also
helps us to chew, holler and yawn.
However
when something goes wrong with this joint, the person
begins to suffer from headache, neck pain, ear pain,
numbness in the fingers and difficulty in opening the
mouth. This is often referred to as TMJ pain and it is
frequently associated with clicking or popping sound
when we try to bite any food item.
TMJ
Syndrome Causes
Even
though there are quite a few controversies concerning
what causes the TMJ syndrome, (whether prolonged
Tinnitus causes TMJ syndrome or TMJ syndrome gives rise
to Tinnitus),
degenerative joint diseases including rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoarthritis, trauma and bruxism tops the
list of its causes. The jaw joint, like any other joint
in the body, can be affected by arthritis and this leads
to the degeneration of the joint, gradual loss of
cartilage, and in some cases, even the formation of
unwanted new bone in the joint. This naturally upsets
its normal movement pattern. Rheumatoid arthritis, as we
are aware, causes inflammation of the joint, which in
the case of TMJ can have alarming effects in children.
Since it is an autoimmune disease concerning antibody
factor against immunoglobulin G (IgG), it creates
multisystem inflammatory disorder in the
TNJ.
But that
is not all. There are other causes of the TMJ disorder
as well. Trauma caused due to incessant grinding and
clenching of teeth as in bruxism affecting the alignment
of bite can result in the development of TMJ syndrome as
well. Moreover, TMJ muscles that get affected due to
bruxism add to the problem, thus giving rise to facial
pain (myofascial pain syndrome). Trauma caused due to
external issues like fortuitous injury to the jaw
damaging the jaw bone or the disc often causes TMJ
syndrome too.
Symptoms
OF TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular
Joint symptoms include pain in the facial tissues and
muscles that can radiate to the neck or the shoulders.
Facial muscle spasm is a common symptom of the TMJ
syndrome. Many people who are suffering from the TMJ
syndrome also have painful episodes while talking,
chewing and even when opening the mouth. Although this
pain generally starts from the jaw joint, it may shift
elsewhere, covering the skull. Headache incidentally is
another familiar symptom originating from the
temporomandibular joint as is ear pain and giddiness.
Most people suffering from TMJ syndrome complain of
tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and progressive loss of
hearing. Clicking and popping sound associated with
closing o opening of the jaw is the commonest symptom of
TMJ syndrome.
TMJ Relief
– Is There A Solution At Hand?
The fact
is, healing of the TMJ syndrome arising out of
degenerative joint disorder is difficult to cure.
Splints or teeth guards that were earlier used to
prevent teeth clinching have been found to create more
problem than help. There are of course conventional
drugs and surgery too that many claims can cure TMJ. But
that is not the case. Even natural remedies that use
herbal supplements and home remedies cannot provide
lasting relief, though a temporary relief is possible.
Some do exercises to relieve TMJ, but the story is much
the same here as well.
The only
way to permanently cure TMJ is through holistic
remedies. Treating the body as a whole, these remedies
identify all the root causes of TMJ and then these
causes are eradicated. This is the much better approach
because just treating the symptoms without identifying
the root causes (the approach of conventional
treatments) can never help. Once the root causes are
eradicated, the symptoms of TMJ goes away automatically
and the disorder does not come back ever
again.
