Are you dealing with TMJ pain or TMJ dysfunction? We are TMJ Chiropractors in Columbus, Ohio, providing non-surgical TMJ chiropractic adjustments and services. We use a customized TMJ treatment approach that is focused on root causes.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the adverse effects of abnormal neck or jaw alignment or motion.
The TMJ, or the temporomandibular joint, connects the jaw to the skull and is responsible for opening and closing the jaw.
TMJ specialist in Columbus Ohio
The temporomandibular joint consists of several muscles, ligaments, and a disc within the jaw joint that can cause dysfunction.
When people have TMJ dysfunction, they frequently experience symptoms like:
- Jaw pain and/or stiffness
- Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
- Abnormal jaw mechanics (uneven opening)
- Locking of the jaw
- Headaches
- Ear pain or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Facial pain
TMJ Treatment and Pain Relief Columbus, Ohio
One of the first things our TMJ Chiropractors asses is the proper curvature within the neck. A normal, healthy neck has a gentle C-shaped curve. This is also referred to as a lordotic curve.
Many patients we have treated have been found to have a military neck, which is an abnormal curve in your neck.
If the neck is not aligned correctly, it can cause problems with the jaw’s functioning. The neck and jaw are interconnected, and proper alignment is crucial in maintaining a healthy jaw and neck.
TMJ chiropractors fix your neck and jaw
When your neck is aligned correctly, your jaw fits correctly into your skull. But when your neck becomes straight (Text Neck), your jaw gets pushed outwards, and the mechanics of opening and closing are abnormal, leading to TMJ.
In addition, when the neck structures are misaligned forward, the muscles around the area respond to the misalignment by compensation. This can lead to tension and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and especially the jaw.
Tight muscles around the jaw joint—such as the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles, masseter muscles, and temporalis muscles—are commonly relieved using hands-on techniques that help reduce jaw tension and improve alignment.
All four of these jaw muscles are innervated by the mandibular nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), which exits the spinal column near the atlas—the first cervical vertebra located just beneath the skull.
5 Natural Ways Our Jaw Chiropractors Help TMJ Pain
Chiropractors specializing in treating TMJ disorders use various techniques to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve jaw joint function. Here are five ways our TMJ chiropractors can help you:
- Spinal alignment: Chiropractors focus on the alignment and mobility of the spine, including the neck and upper back. Misalignments in these areas can contribute to TMJ pain and dysfunction. By performing spinal adjustments, chiropractors aim to restore proper alignment and function, which can alleviate TMJ symptoms.
- Jaw adjustments: Chiropractors may perform specific adjustments or manipulations directly on the jaw joint. These chiropractic treatments have shown a reduction of temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms. Manual therapy has also been shown to be more cost effective and less prone to side effects than dental treatment.
- Soft tissue therapy: Chiropractors may use various soft tissue techniques, such as massage, myofascial release, or trigger point therapy, to address muscular imbalances and tension in the jaw, neck, and surrounding areas. By releasing muscle tension and reducing trigger points, these therapies can relieve TMJ pain and improve jaw function.
- Posture correction: Poor posture can contribute to TMJ problems. Especially forward head posture. TMJ Chiropractors can assess and address postural imbalances that may place excessive stress on the jaw joint. They can help improve posture and reduce TMJ-related discomfort through targeted exercises, stretches, and postural adjustments.
- Lifestyle and ergonomic recommendations: Chiropractors often guide lifestyle modifications and ergonomics to support TMJ pain relief. We advise on proper jaw positioning, relaxation techniques, and stress management and recommend TMJ exercises to improve jaw mobility and strengthen surrounding muscles.
TMJ Chiropractor near me
Abundant You Chiropractic offers non-surgical TMJ chiropractic adjustments and services. We adjust the spine to restore the neck’s normal curvature and healthy alignment of the upper cervical region, effectively alleviating TMJ symptoms.
Does seeing a chiropractor help with TMJ? Yes! The TMJ joint can be realigned without surgery or jaw-breaking by using a chiropractic adjustment tool or manual therapy.
Please book a free consultation with our team today to determine if a TMJ chiropractor can help you.
I was told by my dentist that “this is just how my jaw is” and my options were surgery or a mouth guard
Before coming to Abundant You, I was in pain daily for one reason or another. I suffered from TMJ Pain in Columbus, Ohio, for years and was told by the dentist that this “just the way my jaw is” and that my options were surgery or to wear a mouth guard and learn how to minimize the symptoms.
After my first week of Chiropractic care, I went from having daily (sometimes severe) TMJ Pain to having no symptoms at all. Now, when I open my mouth, I don’t feel my jaw shift to the right or click, and jaw/ear pain and headaches on that side have stopped completely, even in times of stress. I’m so glad I searched TMJ chiropractor near me and found abundant you chiropractic.
– Melissa Keligan
I struggled with TMJ on and off for years!
I have suffered with TMJ on and off for years. My jaws would simply tire out making it very difficult to chew or even open my mouth to the fullest. My jaws would actually lock, making it difficult to even eat. We would go out to eat as a family and I would have to cut a hamburger into bite size pieces to even get it in my mouth. I asked my dentist about this and that’s when I was referred to Dr. Kevin.
Before seeing Dr. Kevin, I had tried two rounds of steroid treatments with no results. I was popping Aleve & Advil on a regular basis to try and get relief. None of it worked! My dentist even made a mouth guard for me and although that helped to rest the muscles while I slept, once I got up and started my day. The pain was right back again! It just so happened that before I called Dr Kevin for my TMJ, I woke up one day in severe back pain. This went on for days until I couldn’t take the discomfort anymore.
My first visit to Abundant You was on 2/16/17. My chief complaint was lower back pain/TMJ/dull headaches. Well here it is 3/20/17 and I feel great! Dr. Kevin took Xrays to evaluate my condition. Unbeknownst to me, I was borderline scoliosis and my neck had no curvature. No wonder the TMJ, vertigo, headaches, and back pain!
Well I have experienced amazing results in a short amount of time! I am already seeing some curvature take place in my neck through follow-up Xrays from my first visit. My headaches are gone, my TMJ has improved TREMENDOUSLY (and I forgot to mention the first doctor I saw for this problem wanted to realign my jaw which would have taken several treatments, thousands of dollars, and up to a year to complete…. YIKES), and I am no longer experiencing low back pain.
I am very pleased with my results and now my husband is even seeing Dr. Kevin. I was drawn to his practice not only for his extreme knowledge of chiropractic, but his modern day holistic approach! The lower back pain was a blessing in disguise because I can actually chew again! I could not imagine having surgery on my jaw, but so thankful to have found a doctor that took a more natural approach and guess what, it’s WORKING!!!!!! I highly recommend Dr. Kevin!
– Angela Hare
Answers to Your most Common Questions about Chiropractors Helping TMJ
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