Temporomandibular
joint or TMJ disorder symptoms are many – some of them
are quite oppressive while a few are absolutely
devastating. There are instances when a TMJ sufferer is
so scared to open his/her mouth that the person has
almost starved himself/herself to death. TMJ related
migraine have turned many people crazy who get addicted
to harmful pain-killers. However, TMJ relief is not
altogether impossible and may be attained in several
ways – through self-care, professional treatment,
neuromuscular dentistry and chiropractic treatment
protocol. But it needs to be mentioned here that, in
most cases the relief from the TMJ syndrome is permanent
as most treatments just treat the symptoms and not the
root causes. And because of this, TMJ becomes chronic in
nature.
TMJ
Self-Care Relief
- Self-care
is possible through some exercises to relieve TMJ
symptoms. These natural exercises for TMJ may
help.
- Make
your tongue reach the soft palate (roof of the
mouth), open your mouth as much as possible, breathe
in slowly for ten seconds. Bring the tongue back to
normal position, wait for a few seconds and then
repeat it ten times.
- Hold
your arm fast, make a fist, press it against the
bottom of the chin and then try to open your mouth.
This will result in the development of isometric
energy which will relax the lower jaw, thus
providing relief. Each episode of this exercise
should take not take more than ten seconds after
which there will be a break and further
continuation.
- Make a
fist with your left hand, press it against the left
temporomandibular joint just below the left ear and
hold it firmly there for ten seconds. Release it to
repeat the performance with the right
temporomanidibular joint in the same way. The
isometric energy her will help relax the jaw muscles
to bring relief.
- Use
both arms (index finger only) to press against both
sides of the jaw joint and then open and close the
mouth slowly. However, abandon the exercise if you
hear the typical clicking sound. In that case, do it
afresh after a break.
- Hold
your chin firmly with your thumb and forefinger and
then try to push it in and out unless it becomes
painful. Otherwise, this exercise will make the jaw
movement very smooth.
- Perform
acupressure at home which will bring relief from the
symptoms of TMJ disorders. This is quite a safe method
as it does not involve puncturing the skin with
acupuncture needles. However, you need the help of an
acupuncturist who may teach you the procedure in a
simple yet effective way. Apply a firm pressure at the
Hegu Point (which the acupuncturist will indicate)
that is located between the thumb and the forefinger
on both hands.
Relief Of
TMJ Symptoms Through Professional
Treatment
Professional
treatment for TMJ includes orthodontic treatment
procedures which should preferably be reversible in
nature. Similarly, if mandibular repositioning is
required to be done, it should also be reversible type.
Of course, dentists may correct misalignment of jaws by
adjusting the crowns or bridges to effect
relief.
Doctors
also prescribe minerals like Calcium and Magnesium that
can restore the functioning of TMJ muscles which are
primarily responsible for TMJ related pain. Anti-oxidant
vitamins like A, C. E, Zinc and Selenium also protect
and rebuild damaged cartilages like the disc in the TMJ
which plays a significant role in proper TMJ
functioning. However, these treatment modes are rather
transitory in nature.
Relief Of
TMJ Symptoms Through Neuromuscular
Dentistry
Relief of
TMJ symptoms can be more enduring if the issue is taken
up at the root level. Most TMJ symptoms arise out of
misaligned jaw and uneven bite. If that is realigned and
set right, the symptoms will go away. This can be best
achieved by neuromuscular dentists who are adept in
manipulating the muscles, ligaments and nerves that are
associated to the temporomandibular joint, and they can
set the bite right.
Relief Of
TMJ Symptoms Through Chiropractic Method Of Treatment
Relief of
TMJ symptoms can also be possible if the treatment is
carried out through chiropractic techniques, popularly
known as the Activator Method which does not involve use
of any drug or surgery. It consists of a hand-held
device that provides corrective TMJ treatment in 2.4
mille-seconds or even lesser.
Even
though Chiropatric treatment protocol is known to be
effective in spinal realignment and associated
relocations, some chiropractic clinicians have already
started working with other body structures including
temporomandibular joints, recreating faulty biomechanics
so that the jaws can be realigned and bites
corrected.
TMJ
Treatment – What Really Works?
Though
there are quite a few treatment options, but the fact
is, most of them do not provide lasting relief because
they treat just the symptoms and not the root causes of
the disorder. And because of this, though the symptoms
may go away, but since the root causes remain within the
body, these symptoms often come back soon. What really
work for TMJ are holistic remedies, which go deep within
the body and treats it as a whole to identify all the
root causes. Once they are identified and treated, the
symptoms go away permanently – the person is thus able
to experience lasting TMJ
relief.
