For many people experiencing pain and dysfunction in their Temporomandibular joint and the muscles that control jaw movement – a condition commonly called “TMJ”, acupuncture serves as one of the most effective drug-free treatments available.
TMJ can be caused by a combination of muscle tension (teeth grinding or bruxism), anatomical problems, and injury. Sometimes, there may be a psychological component from someone clenching their jaw during a time of emotional tension, intense determination, or desperation, with most people completely unaware these muscles can remain contracted for long periods of time.
Over time and repetition, the symptoms include everything from severe headaches, neck/shoulder pain, earaches or dizziness to pain whist chewing or opening your mouth.
Fortunately, for those suffering from TMJ, acupuncture is extremely helpful in relieving the inflammation, pain and tension commonly associated with the condition. Patients with acute pain can experience immediate relief in a few treatments, with more chronic conditions taking a series of treatments over several weeks.
Many people are already aware and appreciate the functionality of acupuncture as a means of relaxation and relief of stress symptoms, but how effectively does it treat TMJ?
A recent British study of 70 cases of dental patients receiving acupuncture for TMJ indicated that 85% of patients benefited with an average reduction in pain intensity of 75%.
The primary reason acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine is chosen as an approach to healing is because it seeks to resolve the origin of a condition which ultimately results in eliminating the pain and discomfort of the symptoms. So in using acupuncture we are treating the root cause – stress, muscle tension, system imbalances, as well as the pain in the jaw area, all in one treatment. The benefit for the patient is the convenience and potential for resolving a number of related issues within the treatment session. Acupuncture relieves muscle spasms and decreases pain and swelling, releasing the jaw naturally for the joint to move freely. Additional points help flush toxins, boost immunity, calm the mind and balance the other systems within the body such as digestion and sleep.
In working with TMJ patients we also look at the whole picture, including lifestyle and environment changes that may support further healing. Understanding the source of a problem is key to preventing recurrence, and sometimes there is a behavioural or psychological shift that may need to occur for stress and tension to be lifted.
Supportive solutions that complement acupuncture treatments include possible dietary adjustments, wearing a mouth night guard or bite plates to help correct the misalignment. Stress reduction, relaxation techniques, and jaw stretching exercises also help re-educate and release tension in the muscles surrounding the joint, and even modifying chewing habits are also behavioral approaches that have proved effective in relieving the symptoms.
