What is TMJ Pain?
When a patient suffers from TMJ pain, he or she usually has acute or chronic inflammation of the joint that connects the mandible to the skull. The pain can affect joints, jaw muscles, and facial nerves.

What Causes TMJ Pain?
Research shows that approximately 12% of the population or 35 million people in the US experience TMJ pain at any given time. This means that it is very likely that you or someone you know currently suffers from TMJ pain! The causes of TMJ pain vary; however, the most common causes include injury and/or trauma to the jaw, teeth grinding, nail-biting. Other causes include autoimmune diseases, infections, and even dental procedures. Additionally, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors can also affect a person’s susceptibility to TMJ pain.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ Pain?
TMJ pain is often felt in a person’s jaw joint or nearby areas, most noticeable when moving the jaw as the jaw muscle generally becomes stiff, causing limited movement or locking of the jaw. As a result, this can also cause ear pain and/or pressure resulting in a person’s ears ringing. In particular, patients suffering from TMJ pain often report pain in their jaw muscles, as well as in their neck and shoulders. Another common symptom is a painful clicking and/or popping in the jaw joint when a person opens or closes their mouth. Additionally, patients have also reported chronic headaches, dizziness, and vision problems associated with TMJ pain.

How can Chiropractic Care Help Treat TMJ?
At The Chiro Guy, we take pride in using the most innovative and effective therapies to treat patients suffering from TMJ pain. One of Dr. Ash’s favorite treatments for TMJ pain included cryotherapy, where he exposes the jaw to an extremely low temperature (sometimes as low as 9 degrees Fahrenheit!) for several minutes at a time. Although the near-freezing temperature can seem daunting to some, this form of therapy is generally well-tolerated by patients and is a favorite in our office. Cryotherapy will help reduce both the pain and swelling associated with TMJ pain. Dr. Ash also uses infrared light therapy to effectively help muscle tissue along the TMJ heal. Dr. Ash has found infrared light therapy to be extremely useful and effective in improving his patients’ symptoms regarding pain, clicking, and tender muscles associated with TMJ pain. Dr. Ash uses other therapies such as cold laser, graston, adjustments, decompression, normatec, and more.

Now you know that a chiropractor can help treat your TMJ pain! If you are suffering with TMJ pain, treatment is just a phone call away! Come in for an evaluation and let us prove to you that we can help!AUTHORAsh Khodabakhsh, DCDr. Ash Khodabakhsh, DC — also known as “The Chiro Guy” — is an experienced, dedicated chiropractor at The Chiro Guy’s Pilates and Wellness Center in Los Angeles. He’s a graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College and has years of experience assisting the treatment of athletes on the court and field. Dr. Ash specializes in a wide range of traditional and state-of-the-art holistic treatments at his Pilates and wellness center — including chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, Pilates, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and assisted stretching.