Acupuncture and TMJ

TMJ

Have you ever experienced an achy pain in your jaw or realized you were clenching your jaw? Or maybe you have had intense headaches, neck or shoulder pain, or difficulty or pain when chewing or unable to open your mouth all the way? This pain could be from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). The temporomandibular joint is a like a hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorders can cause pain in the muscles and joints in your jaw. There are many different causes of TMJ. It can be caused by genetics, muscle tension from grinding your teeth, arthritis, or a jaw injury. No matter what the cause is, the outcome is always the same: pain, discomfort and limited range of motion.

TMJ Treatments

Did you know that acupuncture is an effective treatment for TMJ? Fortunately, acupuncture is extremely helpful for relieving the inflammation, pain, and tension caused by TMJ. Many people associate acupuncture with relaxation and stress relief, but there are numerous research studies demonstrating the effectiveness of acupuncture for TMJ.

The Proof is in the Pudding

Wen Long-Hu et al. (2014) carried out research to show how effectively acupuncture could be used to alleviate pain associated to TMJ. This is a non-invasive technique that uses thin sterile needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points. According to the study which was conducted for a month, participants showed reduced levels of pain after 3 sessions each week for the 4 week period.

A study focusing on previous findings about treatment of the condition established a certain degree of pain reduction after treatment with acupuncture. The study, done by Jun-Yi Wu et al. (2017), showed that acupuncture needles inserted just below the skin has an increased effect as compared to laser and sham acupuncture. The study showed that traditional style acupuncture particularly showed good results for myofascial symptoms.

In their research, Mario Vicente-Barrero et al. (2012) investigated the application of splints as well as acupuncture to treat various symptoms of TMJ. The study ran for 5 weeks and showed positive results in terms of pain reduction. Localized pain was significantly reduced due to the use of splints and acupuncture especially at the trapezius, masseter and temporal muscles.

Why Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment modality under the umbrella of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM goes beyond the symptoms to treat the origin of the the condition. Acupuncture treats the root causes of TMJ (pain, stress, muscle tension) all within the treatment. Specifically, acupuncture helps TMJ by relieving muscle spasms, decreasing pain, decreasing swelling,and  strengthening weak muscles and this helps the jaw to move more freely at the temporomandibular joint.

The earlier you come in, the easier it is to treat and the quicker you get results.  The longer it takes to seek treatment, the more difficult or longer treatment course you need.  Our treatments can include – cupping, gua sha, essential oils and herbs to improve results and to keep you comfortable in between treatments.  Conventional methods like surgery, pain medications or night guards don’t have good results and are painful and uncomfortable! Before you get to the point of being unable to eat or yawn, seek treatment!  We offer complimentary consultations and can answer your questions or concerns.

Who is Acupuncture For?

Acupuncture is really for everybody, but we have found that it is especially beneficial for someone who has not found relief with conventional medicine, someone who does not like popping pills, or someone who prefers trying a natural route before using pharmaceuticals or surgery, both with many side effects and essentially not getting to the root of the problem.

Are you curious about how acupuncture can help you? Contact me directly here .