Understanding causes of TMJ dysfunction critical to a wellness and drugless approach to care

Proper understanding of the symptoms and underlying causes of TMJ dysfunction is critical to a wellness and drugless approach to care, says the Minnesota Chiropractic Association

Understanding the relationship between proper function of the upper cervical spine, cranial bones and temporal-mandibular joint dysfunction (or TMJ dysfunction) is critical to a wellness and drugless approach to care.

The most common symptoms associated with TMJ are pain with chewing, clicking or popping of the jaw.  Specific adjustments to correct misalignment of the spine and TMJ are essential to restoring structural balance and providing symptomatic relief.  If left uncorrected, dysfunction can lead to grinding of teeth, facial asymmetry, additional stress on the spinal column, and an increase in current symptoms. Chiropractic care provides a wellness approach to identifying and correcting these areas of dysfunction.

Many other symptoms can be caused from TMJ dysfunction including: headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritability, a loss of focus, ringing in ears, head and neck tension, sinus congestion and ear infections. 

Causes of TMJ dysfunction include blunt trauma to the head or neck, falls impacting the chin (commonly seen in children), slip and falls on the tailbone causing compensatory effects up the spine and into the cranial bones, whiplash and prolonged desk work resulting in forward head posture.

TMJ sufferers should contact the Minnesota Chiropractic Association to find a doctor of chiropractic in their area.