Countless people look for a professional TMJ chiropractor in Snyder each year. That’s because jaw pain can impact various aspects of life. Without the help of a healthcare practitioner like a chiropractic doctor, neurologist, or general physician, the symptoms can cause disruptions and significant discomfort. Hence, it’s crucial to seek help as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one has chronic jaw pain, we suggest going through our discussion below. Hopefully, our guide can help you relieve your TMJ pain and improve your overall wellbeing.
TMJ disorder is a condition stemming from misaligned jaw joints that affect the surrounding muscles. It can cause persistent pain and discomfort that worsens when you move your jaws. Studies note that there are two common types of TMJ disorders are:
The difference between these two is that TMJ refers to the joint affected when you are experiencing a particular TMJ disorder. TMJ is the shortened term for the temporomandibular joint – the tissue connecting the upper and lower jaws.
On the other hand, TMJD (short for TMJ Disorder) refers specifically to conditions and disorders causing the pain and clicking sounds when you move – especially in your neck or jaw area.
The most common kind of TMJ disorder often causes a “clicking” or “clicking mouth” problem. It can affect the ear and cheek areas and cause headaches and neck pain. While this may seem a minor concern at first glance, it can become much more severe if left unattended.
TMJD has many different causes, but most people who suffer from this condition develop it because of their habits or lifestyle choices. For example, if you have poor posture or eat poorly, then there’s a good chance that your jaw joints might get damaged over time. Additionally, you might develop TMJD if you have the following risk factors:
Whatever caused or triggered your TMJD, you should expect to experience pain in your jaw joint and surrounding muscles and ligaments. Hence, you might find it extra challenging to talk or chew food. Additionally, you will likely experience significant discomfort if you do any of the following:
Many different symptoms may occur depending on what type of joint dysfunction you have experienced from your condition, such as:
If you or anyone you know is experiencing or suffering from TMJ disorders, we suggest reaching out to your physician or our TMJ chiropractor in Snyder, Dr. Pokorski. This can help you assess your situation and determine what specific remedies or techniques might help you alleviate your TMJD symptoms. Additionally, you might find it helpful to explore the following sources of TMJD relief:
OTC or prescription medications can help reduce pain and inflammation in the jaw joint. However, it would be best if you took them according to the directions provided by your physician. Taking too much of these products might result in unwanted effects.
Eating soft foods is vital for those who suffer from TMJ disorders because it helps relieve tension in the jaw muscles and joints and prevent or lessen your risks for future episodes of pain. You can try various soft food products or check out hearty recipes like soups, protein shakes, and pudding.
We also suggest avoiding products that may cause significant mechanical strain on your jaw bones. These products include caramel, nuts, pretzels, popcorn, and hard bread.
Stress is a major risk factor for TMJD. Hence, it might help to schedule time for yourself, practice mindfulness breathing, or unplug from work or social media. Additionally, we recommend exploring new hobbies, reconnecting with nature, taking warm and relaxing baths, or bonding with loved ones to stimulate the release of stress-fighting hormones.
Upper cervical chiropractors can help manage the effects of TMJ disorders with the help of gentle neck bone adjustments. Careful chiropractic adjustments to the C1 and C2 vertebrae can help relieve the tension on the spine and nearby tissues like the TMJ. Additionally, it helps eliminate signal disruptions between the brain and brainstem – a health problem that can prevent your TMJ or other tissues from healing and recovery.
If you haven’t tried upper cervical care for TMJD relief, we strongly recommend consulting with Dr. Brian Pokorski. You may have misaligned C1 and C2 bones due to poor posture or a previously sustained neck or head injury. Let us help you detect and resolve postural imbalances at our office, Chiropractic Lifestyle Family Practice.
Our TMJ chiropractor in Snyder uses sophisticated techniques to check the neck bones and their alignment with your head. He also studies each case carefully to provide tailored-fit patient care plans that helps unlock the body’s natural healing mechanisms.
You can contact us via phone at (716) 635 9742 or through our online form so you can pick a schedule for your consultation with our TMJ chiropractor in Snyder.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Pokorski, call our Snyder office at 716-333-8884. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
