kindly used from Wikipedia
kindly used from Wikipedia

Snap! Crackle! Pop! Click! Bang! Boom! Ouch! It is the joint that escapes attention from most health practitioners. It is the Temporomandibular Joint! It is unique, and lots of doctors are ill prepared on how to treat its disorders. No disrespect intended to the doctors reading this, but it is far and few between to find a well qualified doc for this problem. The joint is amazing complex, and can host many conditions.

 

It is the dentist that often sees this beast, yet it is the chiropractor that might possibly be your best choice for treatment. Many factors aggravate the joint, including getting extensive dental work. Other factors that can be detrimental, is excessive gum chewing, clenching, sexual habits, emotional expression, stress, trauma, dental problems, and tumors. Problems include pain, asymmetries in opening your mouth, swelling, locking, and dislocation.

Actual complaints can be numerous and can include capsulitis, synovitis, adherent disc, acute closed lock jaw, acute open lock jaw, tendonitis, myofascitis, trismus, and arthritic disease.

If you are suffering from any one of the symptoms, or conditions listed above, you would be well advised to do some internet research on doctors in your area that offer TMJ treatment. Not all dentists and not all chiropractors treat this joint, and acupuncture can be a good option as well.

There are several TMJ Disorder treatment options, depending on your specific condition of course. Typically, the doctor must take into consideration all the different tissues involved. Lifestyle changes must be addressed as well.

After a thorough exam of the area and surrounding regions, I usually find a combination of areas to treat. Upper cross syndrome is usually a factor. This is when the shoulders round forward, the head sticks out, and ends with the jaw protruding. The prolonged muscle stress creates dysfunction and imbalance in the joints and muscles.

In this case, joint manipulation to the upper back, neck, and TMJ must be done. The muscles in the region must also be freed from trigger points as well. This must include the muscle that open and close the jaw. At home exercises for the back, and jaw must be included in the regimen, as well as using the Aqualizer. This is an apparatus that helps keeps the jaw in the neutral position. A position that produces less stress on the area, and puts it in a position help it heal correctly.

There are many factors for the TMJ Disorder Treatment in Denver, so it would be wise to seek an experienced doctor, or several types of doctors for that matter.

Dr. Trent Artichoker MS, DC

Denver Chiropractic, LLC
3890 Federal Blvd Unit 1
Denver, CO 80211

303-455-2225