Approximately 35 million people in America suffer from TMJD (temporomandibular joint syndrome disorder). Chiropractic Dr. Craig Petersen in Laguna Hills, CA is a specialist in treating this painful disorder by relieving tension in the muscles and the surrounding joints themselves. He works both inside and outside of the mouth and manipulates the trigger points which are causing the pain.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain or tenderness of your jaw.
- Aching pain in and around your ear.
- Chronic Headaches
- Difficulty chewing or discomfort while chewing/swallowing
- Aching facial pain
- Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
- Vision/hearing problems
What many of those suffering from this painful disorder are unaware of is that chiropractic care can help. Cervical spine disorders are perpetuating factors for TMJD. In fact, The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation recommends the examination of the cervical spine in TMJD patients, even without cervical complaints. By correcting the misalignment between the spine and the nervous system patients can find tremendous relief from this painful disorder.
Chiropractic care can reduce pain by relaxing and relieving tension around the muscles and can even help TMJ pain from returning.
Trigger points (a very sensitive area made of muscle fibers) are often the culprits of this painful disorder. The most common trigger point is located in the trapezius muscle which is at the base of the neck. By simply manipulating this one trigger point, Dr Petersen can influence the areas at the temple, behind the ear and at the jaw line. Other common trigger points can include sternocleidomastoid muscle (located along the neck), pterygoid muscle and the masseter muscle. Gentle and safe chiropractic work on these trigger points can quite quickly decrease and even eliminate TMJD.
Chiropractic can be used alone to treat TMJD, but it is often combined with other means of treatment, such as exercises to strengthen and stabilize the jaw and neck, therapies to retrain muscles for proper movement of the jaw, relaxation and stress relieving techniques and hot/cold compresses. There are many ways to treat this disorder prior to receiving injections of corticosteroids, using pain killers or eventually heading into an extensive surgery.
With proper care and treatment of spinal and neck disorders, TMJD patients truly can achieve pain relief and correction using chiropractic care.
With over 22 years of experience as a Chiropractor, Dr. Petersen prides himself on treating all of his patients with his undivided attention and helping them live healthier lives free of unnecessary pain. In fact, you may be surprised just how easy it is for YOU to live pain free! Call us today at (949) 388-1432.