Jaw Pain and the Chiropractor
By Randi Morse
When you think of the word "chiropractor" you likely think of a person who adjusts backs. The truth is that chiropractors do so much more than just help with alignment issues in your back. Any part of your body that is a joint that can become misaligned can likely be helped by an experienced chiropractor. Take the jaw, for example. Your jaw is a working joint that may become misaligned. If you are dealing with jaw pain, you might not want to make a call to the dentist just yet, as the pain may be caused by misalignment, not teeth issues.
Your Jaw
As with all facets of your body, your jaw is complex. It is a working joint and, as with all the other joints in your body, has a disc that cushions the temporal-mandibular joint. When you do things like grind your teeth or deal with a great deal of trauma, that disc tissue might become misaligned in your jaw. This can cause clicking or a "catching" feeling when you move your jaw from side to side or open your mouth to eat. Sometimes there is a great amount of pain associated with the catching feeling, other times the pain is negligible. If you seek dental care, your dentist may recommend braces. Braces work by realigning the jaw very slowly. It moves teeth and, with the use of different appliances, changes the shape and function of your jaw.
Chiropractic Jaw Adjustment
Chiropractic jaw adjustment may be a better option for your problem than braces. If you're suffering from TMD, or temporal mandibular dysfunction, you may experience symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Ear ringing
- Jaw pain
- Problems opening and closing your mouth
- Grinding sound in the jaw
- Ringing in the ears
An experienced chiropractor may be able to deal with the misalignment issue through using a variety of different techniques. Massage, neck adjustments, and utilizing hot and cold therapy are just a few of the tools your chiropractor may employ to help you get rid of your jaw discomfort.
Seeking the care of a chiropractor has never been easier than it is today. At The Joint Chiropractic you can see a chiropractor on your schedule and for a very affordable rate. Depending on the severity of your issue your chiropractor may set you up with a set of visits, or may be able to handle the issue that you're dealing with in just a visit or two. Stop by The Joint Chiropractic today to see how a chiropractor can help your jaw pain.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Gainesville, Ga.