Brian Kwon Acupuncture TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) is the hinge joint between the temporal bone and the lower jaw, connecting your jaw bone to your skull. TMJ and its surrounding muscles are used to open the mouth, and other types of action such as chewing and swallowing food. When there is a constraint or limitation with TMJ movement, you may want to eliminate the possibility that you have TMD (Temporomandibular Joint disorders).
The cause of TMD can be from various reasons. It can be from bad habits such as clenching or grinding teeth, or due to a combination of factors like genetics, arthritis, or jaw injury. Sometimes, one’s emotional factor can impact it as well.
The most common symptom is pain around the jaw or ear area. As a result, when you open or close your mouth, you often experience pain around the area and can have difficulty with chewing. In some situations, you might hear a clicking sound or grating sensation when you open your mouth or chew.
We recommend that you seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw or have limitations when you open and close your jaw. In most cases, TMD can be treated with nonsurgical treatments and is temporary. Here is a research study that shows that acupuncture is an effective intervention to reduce symptoms associated with TMD.
