If you know someone dealing with tempormandibular joint (TMJ) problems then they have likely tried changing your diet, dental treatments, and the night time appliances. If they’re still struggling then the right manual therapy approach with enhancing muscle function may be the answer.
Grinding and clenching problems can occur because of stress so a medication or a night guard can be helpful. However, I have seen many patients get away from those devices because of the approach to TMJ problem through the lease of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.
So what’s the secret? It’s a shift in the way you view the problem.
The shift is to ask the question what is causing the jaw to tighten and then track down the limitations. That means it’s not just figuring out which muscles are the problem. Evaluating movement and posture will reveal the underlying issue.
Almost everyone struggling with TMJ problems will have issues at the jaw itself, but that is not the end. The jaw will pull on by the neck which because of problems in the rib cage, which are offset by the low back or pelvis, which are then impacted by the hip, knee, and/or ankle.
See a trend? The idea is that everything is connected is an understatement. It is also common that we trace your problem back to an event you didn’t even know was connected. See how this can happen in this healthy living tip.
Every person is different and requires a customized plan, but once your underlying issues is identified we make very rapid changes.
The assessment technique is the key to get to the root of the problem. Knowing how to track the issue from the symptom to the problem is what makes a treatment most effective.
If you want to learn about how we approach things in more detail feel free to contact us.