Jaw Pain...how and why?
Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders, commonly called "TMJ," are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. We don’t know for certain how many people have TMJ disorders, but some estimates suggest that over 10 million Americans are affected. The condition appears to be more common in women than men.
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/TMJ/TMJDisorders.htm
This is Dr. Roland K. Brim, I am a Chiropractor. I have almost 28 years of experience. In my experience, jaw pain does not come from the jaw, it comes from the back!
I treat patients who suffer jaw pain. What I have found to be true might sound crazy! But it because of biomechanics, nothing more. Scoliosis is the how and the why!.
Whose spine is perfectly straight? No one! So, from a mechanical standpoint, there should be jaw pain!
Why is your question...right. Take a look at the picture below that show an example of scoliosis.
It shows one shoulder higher and one hip higher. Structurally and Mechanically, the spine show why there should be an issue.
TMJ PAIN!!!
TMJ DISC MOTION
ACTIVATOR ADJUSTING TOOL
JAW PAIN SIDE MECHANICALLLY-on the left
HIGH SHOULDER on the right
HIGH HIP on the left
SPINAL CAUSE OF JAW PAIN MECHANICALLY AND STUCTURALLY
The noted spinal imbalances in the picture are contributory to the pain not only in the jaw but, the rest of the spine. I will cover its importance in a different part of this website.
So, to treat TMJ, a carefully placed Chiropractic Adjustment is needed.
I use up to 3 different techniques to treat TMJ. Logan Basic, Activator and Diversified. I use each techniques to do different things.
In addition to using Logan Basic and Diversified, I use the Activator tool to adjust 10-15 key areas on the jaw, neck and upper torso. I have found this combination of techniques to very effective.
Many patients have immediate relief.
In my experience, these are other important contributing factors for not only TMJ but most spinal pain.
Age
Injury
Nutrition
Proper Vitamins and Minerals
Proper Caloric Intake to Support Caloric Expenditure
Activity Level-ie Workout Level
Length of Acitivity ie exercise since childhood or just started as an adult
This is not a exclusive list but I have found them to be very important in 'Controlling Pain' and 'Preventing Injury'.
Working out with weights can improve your quality of life.