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 Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ disorders) are problems or symptoms of the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Symptoms associated with TMJ disorders may include:
- Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
- Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
- Dull, aching pain in the face
- Earache
- Headache
- Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
- Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
The following medications may be used:
- Short-term use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Muscle relaxant medicines or antidepressants
- Rarely, corticosteroid shots in the TMJ to treat inflammation
Traditional Chinese medicine is a highly effective method for reducing the pain of this disorder and restoring effective joint function. When pursing treatment with TCM, a complete health assessment is performed to determine the underlying reason for the condition. TCM will diagnose a particular pattern or differentiation for each patient. The goal of treatment is to remove the obstruction, improve free flow of Qi and blood, and thus relieve the pain. Using acupuncture and Chinese herbs to address the cause and symptoms can help you to achieve fast, effective pain relief and can promote long term resolution of symptoms. Correction of the underlying imbalance that allowed the condition to manifest will reduce the likelihood of recurrence. As acupuncture can be used alone or in conjunction with Chinese herbal treatment, it is an ideal solution to the difficulties that treatment and management of TMJ presents.
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