|
Improper jaw movement, trauma or long dental procedures can create TMJ pain that is felt in the head face and neck. Grinding of the teeth, popping or clicking when opening the mouth and pain with jaw movements are signs that TMJ dysfunction is a problem. TMJ is a common complaint one study suggested that 85% to 90% of individuals will develop some TMJ condition or symptom in their lifetime. (1) The anatomy of the jaw aka. (TMJ), is similar joint like any other joint in the body. So that means it can get sprained, strained or injured and cause pain with discomfort.
|
Symptoms |
Headache pains can be into the front or back teeth and even travel up into the ear. There can be pain & stiffness in the neck and surrounding neck muscles. Also patients complain at times with sinus congestion, ringing in the ear or problems with vertigo aka. ( feeling dizzy). Facial pain can be associated with TMJ as pain can travel to lower face, above the eyes brows or even to side of skull above the ears. Popping , clicking and locked jaw are common complaints with improper TMJ movement that can lead to increased pain & discomfort.
|
Treatment
|
When treating TMJ it's important to focus on different areas of the jaw that can be contribute to TMJ pain. One of the primary problems are jaw muscle with TMJ joints that are strained & sprained. Shock Wave Therapy will focus on treating strained jaw muscles and joints. Through acoustic waves that help decrease pain and tightness in jaw muscles and help increase motion in TMJ joint. Additional manual therapy & take home protocols will assist with proper treatment to TMJ dysfunction/syndrome.
|
Research
".....It was shown that in 64% of the patients significant alleviation of pain with palpable and sonographically evident softening of the myogelosis could be achieved. In 40% of the patients the therapeutic result could be conserved over a period of 2 weeks.
Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir. 1999 Jan;3(1):20-3.
"....it was shown that supportive treatment utilizing low-energy shock waves (ESWT) is significantly effective in the therapy of limited opening of the mouth. The patients reported relief of their complaints, especially over the mandibular angle region, through the daily application of ESWT"
Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir. 2002 Sep;6(5):351-5.
(1)Source: Solberg WK Epidemiological findings of importance to management of temporomandibular disorders. In: Clark GT, Solberg WK, eds. Perspectives in Temoromandibular Disorders. Chicago: Quintessence; 1987: 27-41.
Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir. 1999 Jan;3(1):20-3.
"....it was shown that supportive treatment utilizing low-energy shock waves (ESWT) is significantly effective in the therapy of limited opening of the mouth. The patients reported relief of their complaints, especially over the mandibular angle region, through the daily application of ESWT"
Mund Kiefer Gesichtschir. 2002 Sep;6(5):351-5.
(1)Source: Solberg WK Epidemiological findings of importance to management of temporomandibular disorders. In: Clark GT, Solberg WK, eds. Perspectives in Temoromandibular Disorders. Chicago: Quintessence; 1987: 27-41.
