Treating TMJ Without Surgery: Tips

Do you find that you have chronic pain in your jaw joints? Maybe you know that you grind your teeth and it's affecting how your jaw functions. Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ, is a common disorder for many people for a variety of reasons. Because you have complex musculature, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and bones around this area, there is a lot can than be affected. The discipline of taking care of this disorder can range from dentistry to neurology, but in a very basic sense, pain is caused by tension that misaligns the structures of the jaw.

In many cases, TMJ can be treated without surgery. By finding the causes and alleviating the tension in the jaw, you can find relief. Here are a few tips on how to deal with this disorder before you start considering invasive surgery:

Most doctors recommend a set of exercises that help to relax and stretch the jaw joints. Just like exercising the body, it can help you recover from periods of tension to maintain healthy joint function and alleviate pain. This also reduces tension in the facial muscles. This release can help prevent against long periods of unnecessary tension.

Another way to relax the areas around the jaw joints is through massage. Again, the body greatly benefits from massages to help get rid of tension that builds up in the body, both physical and emotional. You reap the same benefits when you massage the jaw. Massages can help realign the jaw over time, gently guiding structures to naturally move and function, as they should.

If you have serious problems with misalignment, you can use splints and mandibular re-positioning devices when at home or overnight for a period of time to help move the structures of your face back into properly alignment. Wearing these splints and devices can also help prevent further damage from clicking from grinding and alleviate pain. Another sleep solution for TMJ is a biofeedback headband. This helps you develop healthier habits while you sleep. Most people grind their teeth or put excess tension in their face and jaw as an involuntary response, especially when sleeping. Training healthy function overnight will translate to healthier involuntary functioning during the day.

Doctors also help patients with TMJ become self aware of their problems. Because damage is caused by involuntary responses, movement therapy works to help patients recognize when and why they put excess stress on the structures of the face and jaw. By helping patients to recognize bad behavior then can work towards a positive solution.

Not all TMJ patients can alleviate their symptoms using non-surgical techniques. Speaking to a professional can help you explore your particular problems and find the solutions that will work for you, surgical or non-surgical.