TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorders, are a cluster of conditions that affect the jaw joint and the surrounding area. They cause acute or chronic pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic expert here at Suwanee Family Chiropractic of Suwanee, GA, Dr. Laura Russo, excels at helping patients recover from the chronic pain of TMJ.
What exactly is TMJ?
TMJ disorders include any dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint resulting in pain and inflammation of the connective tissues of the jaw. This includes nervous and muscular dysfunction. Left untreated, this condition can lead to excess wear and tear on the joint that may eventually result in degenerative disease.
TMJ has many causes, including tooth grinding, injury or dislocation of the joint, and a misaligned bite. As a collection of issues that may present in various ways, symptoms may vary. Some of the most common include:
- Pain in the head, ears, teeth, neck, and shoulders
- Popping and clicking when moving the joint
- Swelling
- Difficulty chewing or otherwise moving the jaw
- Tinnitus
What treatment options are there?
It's important to identify and treat the root cause of any TMJ disorder, since doing so will alleviate most symptoms. Dr. Russo here at Suwanee Family Chiropractic of Suwanee, GA, takes her time to evaluate each individual case and design a treatment plan optimized for the needs of the patient. Some treatments commonly used for TMJ patients include:
- Diet changes
- Postural changes
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Therapeutic massage
If you're in the Suwanee, GA, area and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, we urge you to contact the Suwanee Family Chiropractic team. We'd be happy to help before TMJ can wreak any more havoc on your life than it already has. We'll set you up with an initial consultation with Dr. Russo and get you started on the road back to health! For more information, simply give us a call at (770) 831-7556 or fill out this short form, and we'll get back to you. We look forward to helping you along your journey to optimal health.