What’s causing the pain and popping in my jaw? Both dentists and chiropractors get this question quite often. TMJ stands for “Temporal-Mandibular Joint.” This is the joint where your lower jaw connects to your skull. Without a thought, you use this joint hundreds of times a day. The TMJ is involved in swallowing, talking, biting, and chewing. All of these daily activities can be impaired by misalignment of the articular disc, the disc that separates the skull from the mandible (jaw). For some, the misalignment can be caused by stress, resulting in clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth – especially at night. For others, trauma such as whiplash from a car accident or sports injury can be the source of the issue.

TMJ related symptoms include a cracking or grinding sound, or stiffness and pain when chewing or opening and closing the mouth. The wear on the jaw caused by this can cause permanent damage and impair the normal daily use of the jaw. More often than not, the muscle in the jaw is very tight and sore. Chiropractors treat joint misalignment and are well trained to treat TMJ. A chiropractor will focus on relieving the tension in the muscles of the jaw. As neck and upper back pain can result from TMJ misalignment, your chiropractor may also adjust these areas in order to help relieve tension and achieve relaxation. As a result, patients usually notice a greater range of motion in the temporal mandibular joint, relieving pain, headaches, and the clicking or popping noise they hear upon opening and closing their mouths. Chiropractic care can not only alleviate symptoms, but can often prevent TMJ from returning. Call your Raleigh chiropractor today and find out how chiropractic care can help you get relief from your jaw pain.

For more information on chiropractic and TMJ, go to: http://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=399.