Pain in the jaw

 

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) is a group of conditions affecting the jaw. These can include muscular tension, movement problems such as locking of the jaw, and damage to the articular disc in the TMJ. People with TMJD report a wide variety of symptoms including pain in the jaw, clicking or popping when opening or closing the mouth, reduced ability to open or close the mouth, headaches with tension in the jaw, burning or tingling in the face, or tenderness and swelling on the side of the face.

How can a chiropractor help?
Chiropractors can treat tense muscles in the jaw through a variety of soft tissue techniques and manipulate or mobilize the TMJ to break up any adhesions in the joint and restore proper movement. A chiropractor can also evaluate and treat any related problems which are often found in the neck and shoulders when a patient has TMJD. Finally, a chiropractor can provide a referral to a dentist if the problems may be related to oral health.

What can you do to help yourself?
First and foremost, avoid chewing gum or eating sticky, chewy, or exceptionally hard foods. Take smaller bites of food that will be easier to chew. Be aware of your reaction to stress and avoid clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth. Learn relaxation techniques to keep stress from affecting your jaw and avoid activities that aggravate the problem.

References:
Akhter, R., t al. (2004). Association of dietary habits with symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in Bangladeshi adolescents. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Vol. 31. Pg. 746-753
DeLany, J., et al. (1997). Temporomandibular dysfunction. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Vol. 1(4). Pg. 198-214
DeVocht, James W., et al. (2003). Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders Using the Activator Adjusting Instrument: A Prospective Case Series. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Vol. 26. Pg. 421-451

Tension Headaches

Living in a city, I often see patients complaining of headaches. Many people experience pain around their head that feels like their head is in a vise, accompanied by muscle tightness or stiffness in the neck and shoulders. This type of headache is known as a tension headache and is often caused by stress, a lack of sleep, muscular tension, and/or tension in the jaw.

Tension headaches are more common in women than in men and generally affect people between 20 and 50 years of age. They are a very common condition. In fact, tension headaches and migraines account for 90% of headaches that present to medical doctors in North America. With most of us being affected by tension headaches at some point or another the question becomes, what do we do about them?
Tension headaches generally arise from tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders or improper motion in the joints of the cervical spine. As a result, chiropractic care can help greatly with this problem. Chiropractic muscle work or registered massage therapy can help relax tight, tense muscles, while chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper motion to the joints in the neck. Beyond physical care a chiropractor can help you with strategies to manage stress and help with relaxation. They can also prescribe exercises and stretching which has been shown to help reduce the frequency of tension headaches.
Quick Tips:
When a tension headache strikes try gently stretching the neck and dropping your shoulders to relieve muscle tension. An ice pack wrapped in a towel and applied to the back of the neck can also help alleviate headache symptoms. The best way to avoid tension headaches is to find ways to reduce the stress in your life by staying active and doing activities that you enjoy.