TMJ | Jaw Pain St. Louis
The temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. This joint allows the jaw to move side to side, up and down and back to front. TMJ disorder (TMJ Syndrome) is a term for acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint which can be caused by: bruxism (teeth grinding), clenching the jaw, trauma, excessive nail biting, stress, neck tension, degenerative joint disease and many more. Many people experience TMJ pain in St. Louis.
Symptoms of TMJ Syndrome
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and hearing loss.
- Pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints that may radiate to the neck or shoulders.
- Your face and mouth may swell on the affected side.
- Pain when talking, chewing, or yawning. Pain usually appears in the joint itself, in front of the ear, but it may move elsewhere in the skull, face, or jaw and lead to headaches, dizziness, and even migraines.
- Muscle spasms
- When the joints move, you may hear sounds, such as clicking, grating, and/or popping.
- The jaw may lock wide open (then it is dislocated), or it may not open fully at all. Also, upon opening, the lower jaw may deviate to one side. You may find yourself favoring one painful side or the other by opening your jaw awkwardly. These changes could be sudden. Your teeth may not fit properly together, and your bite may feel odd.
TMJ Treatment in St. Louis
Chiropractic treatment of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) focuses on restoring the proper alignment and motion of the TMJ and relieving tension in the muscles around the joints themselves—working both outside and inside the mouth, using massage and trigger point therapy.  Chiropractic can be effective at reducing the pain associated with TMJ, either when used alone or as a complement to other treatments.p>
Are you seeking relief for tmj, sinus, or migraines in St. Louis?
Dr. Sean Branham is well versed in the intricacies and mechanics of chiropractic therapy. As a chiropractor in St. Louis, he has developed systems to provide you with relief from your symptoms.