Do I Need TMJ Therapy?
Are you experiencing consistent jaw or mouth pain, trouble chewing, or a locked jaw? These and other symptoms may be due to a condition that requires TMJ therapy.
Dr. Tiffany Taveras at Prestige Health and Wellness recommends that patients seek TMJ therapy at one of our four convenient locations for lasting relief of symptoms.
You might need TMJ Therapy if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
- Jaw tenderness
- Mouth pain or toothaches
- Locked jaw
- Popping or clicking noises in the jaw
- Headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Tingling in the hands and fingers
- And more!
Read on to learn more about TMJ therapy, its use, and if it’s the right treatment plan for you.
What is TMJ Therapy?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) therapy can be used to address a wide variety of TMJ disorders. These conditions are characterized as affecting the jaw’s structure and function. It’s been recorded that humans produce about 2000-2500 jaw movements daily. Therefore, when a person is afflicted with a TMJ disorder, it can prevent them from completing basic activities and functions.
Fortunately, TMJ therapy can help address some of the most debilitating symptoms.
TMJ Therapy in Manhattan, NYC
Research shows that stress at work may increase the likelihood of someone developing a temporomandibular disorder. Therefore, is it possible that New Yorkers, who are accustomed to the hustle and bustle culture, may be more likely to experience TMJ symptoms? After all, it’s not uncommon for individuals to unknowingly clench their jaw when they’re anxious or stressed trying to meet a deadline.
The doctors at Prestige Health and Wellness understand these risks and want busy individuals like yourself to avoid bothersome TMJ symptoms. That’s why we offer TMJ therapy services to help people communicate better, chew without pain, and enjoy a more carefree life.
TENS Units for TMJ Therapy
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units are a non-invasive treatment that provides electrical stimulation to muscles in different parts of the body. This type of treatment can be an extremely beneficial addition to TMJ therapy, as it can be used to treat the jaw and nearby muscles of the area.
Before your practitioner utilizes the TENS unit, they’ll record the activity levels of the jaw and face muscles.
After this, the TENS unit is used to send electrical currents to the nerves that connect the jaw and nearby muscles to the brain. The ultimate goal for this form of electrical stimulation therapy is to diminish the pain signals that the nerves send to the brain, which in turn leads to muscle relaxation and pain relief. This type of treatment can be particularly significant for patients who are looking for a minimally invasive form of pain relief without the use of medications.
Chiropractic Care for TMJ
Chiropractic care at Prestige Health and Wellness will include a consultation to learn more about the pain and discomfort you may be suffering from. If this form of care is right for you, an expert at our facility will perform a variety of hands-on techniques in order to manipulate the jaw joint and nearby muscles gently.
This may also include attention to the neck vertebrae for further relief. An adjustment of the jaw joint itself will usually be necessary. Further jaw joint mobilization exercises and stimulative therapy techniques will work to help alleviate pain, improve jaw movement, and reduce muscle tension.
Physical Therapy care for TMJ
During physiotherapy at Prestige Health and Wellness, a physical therapist like Rommel Vesagas may incorporate tailored stretching and strengthening exercises in order to fortify and improve the flexibility of locked or stiff jaw muscles. Jaw and mouth movement exercises, soft tissue mobilization exercises, and even tongue placement exercises can be a common factor of physical therapy for TMD. By performing these specific exercises, tension is released in areas of the jaw, neck, and upper body, allowing for an ease of discomfort and stiffness.
Acupuncture care for TMJ
Acupuncture for TMJD symptoms involves a consultation with an expert provider in order to learn more about the points of pain and discomfort in the jaw joint area. A disorder of the temporomandibular joint can lead to very uncomfortable facial pain, which is where acupuncture can most highly intervene. During acupuncture, needles are inserted in the areas of the ear, jaw, and neck in order to address uncomfortable symptoms. With acupuncture, endorphins are released into the body, which can help relieve pain and boost jaw mobility.
Massage Therapy care for TMJ
Some patients with TMJ symptoms could benefit from massage therapy services. This therapy approach provides deep treatment of the muscles around the jaw to help alleviate tension in the jaw and neck area. Kneading, friction, and stretching are different approaches massage therapists can take to support those with bothersome symptoms. Heat and cold may also help reduce pain and inflammation and further increase jaw mobility.
What Conditions Does TMJ Therapy Treat?
A TMJ condition can make daily living difficult and uncomfortable. Thankfully, this form of therapy can help with symptom management. Some of the conditions TMJ therapy can help treat include:
Myofascial Pain
Myofascial pain is one of the most common temporomandibular joint disorders. It is characterized by discomfort and pain in the fascia, which is the connective tissue that covers the muscles. It also involves muscles that control the jaw, neck, and shoulder function.
Dealing with myofascial pain may feel like:
- Pain in the chewing muscles and jaw joint
- Jaw stiffness
- Limited movement of the jaw
- Pain that can spread through the face and neck
Ear Troubles
Earaches and other ear troubles can be a condition that arises for many people dealing with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This condition feels like:
- Pain and inflammation in the inside of the ear
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Hearing problems
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
This is a common condition associated with TDM (Temporomandibular disorders) and, unfortunately, often affects the oral health of patients. Symptoms include:
- Jaw pain and tenderness
- Flattened, worn down, or broken teeth
- Sleep problems
- Facial pain
Benefits of TMJ Therapy
Temporomandibular joint disorders can affect up to 12% of the population, leading to a decrease in quality of life from painful symptoms. Fortunately, TMJ management can help with vast improvements to a person’s symptoms, such as:
- Reducing or eliminating jaw pain
- Improving jaw/facial mobility
- Enhancing oral health
- Restoring jaw alignment
- Helping to reduce headaches that may be related to a TMJ disorder
- Combating stress caused by symptoms
This intervention may also help to regain a good night’s sleep previously interrupted by jaw pain and teeth-grinding.
Consider TMJ Therapy in Manhattan
At Prestige Health and Wellness the following specialists can help with this treatment: Chiropractors, and Physical Therapists. We accept most major insurance providers – your treatment may be covered depending on your condition and plan. For more information please view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Book a personalized assessment today to learn if TMJ therapy in NYC is the right fit for you!
If you are ready to take the next step Book an appointment now. If you have any questions about our treatment options or insurance coverage, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 212-393-4673.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our locations in Manhattan NYC:
