Living TMJ disorders can come with a lot of challenges. It could result in severe pain and discomfort and prevent you from enjoying your usual routine. If you have this condition, knowing natural remedies for TMJ disorders can make a lot of difference in your life. Find out how you can see improvements in your symptoms with the help of a TMJ disorders chiropractor and practicing self-care techniques.

What are TMJ Disorders?

The temporomandibular joint or TMJ connects the mandible (the lower part of the jaw) to the skull’s temporal bone. Every TMJ chiropractor knows for a fact that these joints in front of each ear allow us to chew our food, talk, and yawn. For this reason, they advise the utmost care for the jaw joints.

TMJ disorders (TMJD) are due to problems with the ligaments and muscles that move the jaw. It can be caused by issues with the cartilage disc within each joint or issues within the joints. TMJD is a general term used to describe a collection of different disorders that can distress the jaw. The joints and muscles of your jaw are some of the trickiest parts of the whole body. Since these components contain a significant number of nerve endings, they can cause an immense pain level.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Patients who come to see a TMJ disorders chiropractor often share varying symptoms. This is all because of how nerve pathways run and the jaw joints’ proximity to other neck and head structures. Numerous individuals with TMJ disorder frequently suffer from these symptoms:

• Neck pain
• Earaches
• Headaches
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• Aches or discomforts around the jaw joints and face
• Clicking or popping in the jaw when chewing, talking, or yawning 
• Bruxism or grinding of the teeth
• Locking of the jaw
• Sleep difficulties

Temporomandibular Joint Risk Factors

The jaw is a very complex joint that combines gliding and hinging movements. Since it provides a wide range of motion, it can be quite challenging to determine what causes the dysfunction or pain. The cartilage disc that allows the jaw to move smoothly may shift out of its correct alignment or wear out over time. Also, the muscles of the jaw may develop trigger points, thus, causing abnormal movement. Finally, the TMJ can also suffer injury or damage due to any of the following:

• Car accidents
• Sporting injuries
• Trauma to the head or neck
• Sliding or falling incidents

Also, here are other known factors that can increase your risk of developing TMJD:

• Stress Levels – Individuals with high-stress levels are significantly more at risk of getting TMJ dysfunction. It triggers clenching of the jaw muscles and increases levels of inflammation in the body. Stress also interferes with the body’s average hormone balance.
• Gender – Women are more likely to develop TMJ issues.  At least 90% of individuals who visit a TMJ disorders chiropractor are females. It can be due to many factors such as stress, hormonal influence, sleep disturbances, or anxiety.
• Bad Habits – People who frequently clench their teeth are more susceptible to develop issues with their jaws than those who don’t grind or clench.
• Other Conditions – Other patients who visit a TMJ disorder chiropractors complain about debilitating health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. 

Natural Remedies for TMJ Disorders

Before you learn more about how a TMJ disorders chiropractor can help you, it’s also useful to know other natural methods that can alleviate your symptoms. Here are some of the best and simplest remedies for your TMJ disorder:

• Avoid Things That Can Stress Your Jaw

Aside from scheduling a visit to your TMJ disorders chiropractor or other medical professionals, it’s also worth it to try some simple self-care techniques. For starters, you can focus on correcting habits that can contribute to your TMJ dysfunction and pain. These activities can indeed stress the jaws and its muscles. Some examples include:

• Holding the phone in-between your jaw and shoulder
• Biting your nails
• Constantly chewing gum
• Eating hard to digest food
• Yawning too long and hard (overextending the jaw)

• Manage Your Stress

Reducing your stress can help relieve TMJ pain. How? Since there is no way we can eliminate stress in our lives completely, we can only minimize or manage them properly.

There is a link between TMJ disorders and stress. Therefore, coping with stress through meditation, practicing yoga, and breathing techniques will alleviate TMJ pain. Other ways include finding the time to relax and wind down after a long day, may consist of taking a warm bath, reading, listening to soothing music, or doing a hobby that makes you happy.

• Do Regular Exercise For The Jaw And Body

When you gently move your jaw within its natural range of motion, it can train the muscles to work correctly. So you can start doing this at least once a day. It won’t take two minutes of your time to do so. 

Open and close your mouth slowly, and do this at least eight times. Then shift your mouth and lower jaw from left to right slowly. Do this without forcing any movements. Do this at least four times. 

If you do these jaw exercises regularly, you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Keep your temporomandibular joint functioning properly and healthy. 
• Reduce your stress, bring more balance to your hormones, and encourage better sleep.

These benefits combined with a visit to a TMJ disorders chiropractor and making other lifestyle adjustments can help you recover from TMJ pain.

Neck Pain and TMJ Disorder  – The Connection

Neck pain is among the most prevalent symptoms reported by patients of a TMJ disorders chiropractor. This is why a lot of patients go to a TMJ chiropractor. Also, poor neck alignment and bad posture can contribute to issues with the jaw. It is because the topmost bone in the neck, your atlas vertebra, sits very near your jaw joints on either side of the face.

The atlas vertebra is unique for two reasons. First, it supports the weight of the head. Second, it is the most highly flexible segment of the spine, which allows the head various directions of motion. If the atlas shifts from its correct alignment, it will impact normal jaw movement and positioning. Also, it will cause excess pressure and tension in the muscles of the jaw and face. As a result, it can lead to TMJ disorders.

Getting Help from a TMJ Disorders Chiropractor

A NUCCA TMJ disorders chiropractor focuses specifically on how the atlas alignment influences the rest of the body. An atlas misalignment can directly affect the jaw function because of how close it positions to the TMJ. The atlas vertebra also protects the brainstem. The brainstem is an information superhighway and connected to the nerves that control the jaw and face muscles. If it gets irritated, it can cause an imbalance of muscle tone and incorrect jaw movement and jaw pain. 

Have you been contemplating to visit a NUCCA TMJ disorders chiropractor for your excruciating jaw pain? Every NUCCA TMJ chiropractor uses an exact and gentle procedure that will restore normal atlas alignment. If you have TMJ, you may experience natural and lasting relief through the help of a NUCCA TMJ disorders chiropractor.

Find a NUCCA TMJ disorders chiropractor near you today.