TMD – temperomandibular dysfunction
The temperomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is dysfunction of one or both of the joints of your jaw, the temperomandibiular joints (TMJ) and the surrounding muscles.
Causes of TMD
- Stress
- Clenching your jaw
- Grinding your teeth
- Malocclusion (where your teeth don’t close together as they should)
- Arthritis
Symptoms of TMD
- Pain around your jaw or temples
- Stiffness in your jaw
- Tension in the muscles around your jaw
- Headaches
- Clicking in your jaw
- Neck pain
To assess your jaw for TMD, your chiropractor will observe your range of movement, assess the movement of your TMJ, palpate the muscles surrounding your jaw, observe the alignment of your bite and check if you have had your teeth removed. At Tivoli, we like to take a holistic approach to care and want to understand the relationship between your neck and your jaw. To do this we will also assess your posture, and the joints and muscles of your neck.
How to help?
Once the cause of your TMD has been identified, we can then give recommendations on how to help. This may include:
- Hands on treatment
Chiropractic treatment to help restore normal movement in the joints reduce tension of the muscles in your TMJ and neck.
- Lifestyle adjustments
Mindfulness and meditation can help reduce your stress levels, which in turn may reduce clenching and grinding your teeth
- Mouth guards
For some patients, we may recommend a mouthguard that can be worn during the night, and at intervals in the day. These help to optimise the position of the TMJ, reducing stress and irritation on the joints and muscles.
- Exercises
Keeping the joints and muscle mobile as well as looking after your posture are another way to help
- Dentistry and Orthodontics
In some cases, we may recommend that you discuss your TMD with your dentist. This may be if you have malocclusions or missing teeth.
If you have any further questions then feel free to email on mccoy@tivolichiropractic.co.uk
Alternatively, if you would like further support then please speak to us at the clinic for an assessment of your jaw. You can book online here.