For some people, facial pain around the jaw joint is a debilitating chronic condition. Others may only experience one or two events in their lifetime. The usual treatments for pain around the jaw joint include avoiding chewing on that side, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and getting oral surgery to loosen teeth or remove them.
Chiropractic care is another option that can alleviate the pain associated with facial pain around the jaw joint. Chiropractor in Jupiter is vital to find one knowledgeable in the theory and practice of chiropractic. As the public becomes more aware of the benefits of chiropractic care, people are becoming interested in finding it.
Can Chiropractic Care alleviate Facial pain around the jaw joint?
The jaw joint is a ball-and-socket joint located in the lower regions of the face. It is the only joint on the human body with an internal and external connection between two bones. The bones are located at both sides of your face, called temporal bone and zygomatic bone (at which end of your face they are located is essential to know).
The amount of movement that can occur at this joint is limited. It can move up and down, side to side, twist, tilt, or rotate in any direction. This movement allows it to lock into place with its partner during chewing activities. If for some reason, the joint becomes loose or misaligned, then pain can occur. It is usually a result of trauma to the area. Injuries commonly occur in head injury, whiplash injury, and punching the face.
Another cause of facial pain around the jaw joint is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which occurs when there is inflammation of the muscles and tendons around the jaw joint. TMD involves more than just pain in the jaw joint. It includes a limited range of motion, clicking and popping noises, muscle spasms, tooth grinding, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), headaches, and fatigue.
Chiropractic focuses on the reason for the pain and not just treating symptoms
Your chiropractor will perform a diagnostic exam to find out what is causing you pain. They will then focus on correcting your neck, back, and spine to help you improve your posture and relieve the pain in your face.
A study published by the American Chiropractic Association found that pain in the jaw joint occurs in over one billion people worldwide yearly. Some research shows that chiropractic care effectively treats facial pain around the jaw joint.
In Western culture, only one percent of people see a doctor for treatment because they are often unaware that treatment is available. Chiropractic care can often alleviate the pain that people experience around the jaw joint. Chiropractic is also affordable, without the need for pain relievers or surgery. A study by the Harvard School of Medicine revealed that women were more likely to see a chiropractor than men.
Medical doctors often recommend over-the-counter medications to treat facial pain. If a patient is not getting relief from these medications, they are often directed by their doctor to visit an oral surgeon who performs surgery on their jaw joint. These surgeries may not always work and are expensive and require time to recover. This study shows that most people who did not get relief from their conventional medical treatment later chose chiropractic care instead.
A study by the Alberta College of Chiropractors showed that two-thirds of patients could return to their normal activity levels after being treated by a chiropractor. The study also found that 94% of people felt they had some pain improvement due to chiropractic treatment.
The article “Facial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders” found that nearly all patients diagnosed with TMD sought relief by using over-the-counter medications. Another study published in Archives Of Orofacial Pain, which Dr. Christopher Kent conducted, revealed that 83 percent reported improvement in pain after receiving treatment from a chiropractor.
Winding Up:
Chiropractic care has proven time and time again to be effective in treating facial pain around the jaw joint. Many treatments are being performed by people who are not trained and experienced to help you. These treatments can do more harm than good and may cause you more pain in the long run.