The TMJ joint is the joint that connects the upper jaw bone with the lower jaw bone. This joint is used on everyday bases especially when chewing, biting, talking and yawning. It is one of the most used joints in the body. The TMJ joint syndrome which is also known as myofascial pain dysfunction is a complicated condition which might involve the inflammation of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It may also involve structural damage of the bones or the joints. Considering the fact that the muscles and the joints work together, if a problem occurs in one of them, it might cause pain in other areas such as headaches. The primary cause of TMJ syndrome could be as a result of excessive chewing of gum. It could also be caused by the clenching of teeth or stress. This condition only becomes complicated if it was caused by accident. Read more about Botox for pain relief.
The most common signs of TMJ syndrome are such as a headache, pain in the ear, dizziness, and disturbing sounds. These signs or symptoms may be accompanied by pain or not. A thorough assessment is done to determine if a patient is suffering from TMJ syndrome. If after the assessment the patient is found to be suffering from the problem, he or she is referred to an expert to help them out. The client is also warned against opening their jaw too widely as this would make the condition severe.
TMJ is treated using a number of methods for example, passive opening and closing of the jaw, heat or cold therapy and massage of the muscles which are involved including the trigger areas. Enacting pressure on the affected area assist in encouraging the area to heal. There are cases of this condition that may require the patient to undergo dental surgery to correct it. If TMJ is left untreated, it could lead to permanent wearing out of teeth, the bones or the disk. Damage of the teeth, on the other hand, could lead to the inability to open or close the jaw which is commonly known as lockjaw. To learn more about symptoms of tmj, follow the link.
Massage has been found to be very effective in the treatment of TMJ. The massage therapist should focus on the affected area and massage it gently to improve healing. This implies that the massage should be carried out by a person who is highly qualified to avoid causing any more problems to the affected area. Those who suffer from this condition should avoid eating hard foods to avoid straining the jaw.
