Chiropractic Massage: A Natural Approach for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctions

Smiling, talking, eating, and laughing are only some of the facial movements that you make on a regular basis with little to no thought. However, if you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction disorders (TMDs), the aforementioned actions may lead to a lot of pain and discomfort.

While they are generally resolved within a couple of weeks or months, some symptoms may be aggravated by certain habits or behaviors. Fortunately, there are a couple of things that you can do to manage the inconvenience that TMJ disorders bring. One of them is undergoing chiropractic massage therapy.

The said therapy, together with manual adjustments and soft tissue manipulation can ensure that all the components of the jaw are in a neutral position. When this happens, unnecessary stress and tension that are caused by the misalignments are fixed. Soft tissue manipulation, on the other hand, delivers pain relief and speeds up the healing process.

Chiropractic adjustment benefits include fixing jaw misalignment, bruxism (grinding teeth), and jaw injury. In addition to all these, regular sessions may also alleviate neck pain, headaches, and so on. To appreciate the said benefits further, let us take a closer look at TMDs.

TMD: A Look at Statistics

TMDs are generally defined by pain or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint and the muscles of mastication or chewing. Worldwide, according to Science Direct, the prevalence of the said condition is approximately 5 to 12% . Some of its common symptoms include headaches, ear pain, restricted lower jaw movement, and so on. Headaches are no ordinary headaches because they radiate to the jaw, forehead, and temple.

In the Philippines, according to a report that was published in Philstar Global in 2005, approximately four million Filipinos suffer from painful jaw disorders. The report contained an interview from Dr. Jose Michelle Reyes, president of Philippine Functional Jaw-Orthopedics. She mentioned that in the country TMDs are mistaken for other ailments due to the similarity of symptoms. Furthermore, only 10 to 20% of patients who are affected by the said disorders are aware of their ailment.

It should be noted that TMDs are ailments that should not be taken for granted. Failure to address them may lead to joint damage, tooth loss, sleep apnea, migraines, and even mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Chiropractic Massage and Other Treatments for TMDs

Chiropractic massage and other chiropractic care methods are shown to be effective when it comes to treating TMDs. A quasi-experimental study that was published in the National Library of Medicine in 2023 demonstrated that chiropractic therapy was able to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and significantly reduced TMD severity compared to exercise therapy.

Simply put, chiropractic therapy is an encouraging non-invasive and holistic approach with regard to managing TMD symptoms. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, the said therapy was shown to improve pain measures, disability, and maximum mouth opening.

Below are some of the procedures that a chiropractic doctor may employ to treat TMDs.

• Chiropractic Massage Therapy

Chiropractic massage therapy can be performed to specifically target the muscles connected to the jaw, such as the masseter and temporalis muscles. By relieving muscle tightness and improving circulation, it can significantly reduce pain and discomfort. Regular sessions can also prevent the muscles from becoming too tight in the future.

• Chiropractic Adjustment

Realigning the jaw and cervical spine are notable chiropractic adjustment benefits. They can compellingly ease TMD discomfort since it eliminates inappropriate stress as well as tension on the joint and nearby muscles. Here, soft targeted adjustments restores alignment and enhances joint movement. Consequently, this reduces pain and other symptoms.

During the said procedure, a chiropractor can release trapped nerves and treat neck as well as spine dysfunction. It can also prevent swelling and boost blood circulation to the jaw muscles. After undertaking a full treatment program, pain, pressure, and the like should disappear.

• Soft Tissue Therapy

Soft tissue therapy usually includes manipulation techniques that are specifically designed to relax as well as loosen the muscles in the jaw area. Here, a chiropractic doctor uses his or her hands most of the time, but there are certain cases where peculiar tools are utilized to massage and stretch the said muscles. By doing so, tension is relieved and blood flow is improved.

• Combined Therapy

In a lot of cases, chiropractic treatments for TMDs are most effective when combined with medical methods. Some of the most notable ones include physical therapy, orthodontics, electrotherapy, occlusal splints, and so forth. It should be noted that when it comes to the mentioned ailments, having a multi-faceted approach is essential since it can ensure that different aspects of the condition are effectively and efficiently addressed. Eventually, this may lead to lasting and, therefore, more significant improvements.

Benefits of Chiropractic Massage for TMDs

Chiropractic massage can offer a number of benefits for individuals who suffer from TMDs, they include the following:

• Pain Relief

The said massage, if done together with spinal adjustments, can significantly lessen the occurrence of pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck, and head.

• Non-invasive

Chiropractic care offers a non-surgical and drug-free alternative for managing TMD symptoms. On top of these, it can address the root cause of dysfunction, which in turn, can prevent future issues from developing. It also plays a key role in promoting overall health and well-being.

• Improved Jaw

A chiro doctor can realign the jaw and then relax the surrounding muscles. Consequently, this can boost the range of motion and diminish popping sounds in the jaw area.

Is Chiropractic Therapy Safe?

Chiropractic massage and other chiro treatments are generally safe and are worthwhile options for individuals with TMDs. They can lower pain tolerance, reduce stiffness, relieve tolerance, and even address mental issues such as anxiety. However, they may not be suitable for those with severe joint degeneration, recent jaw injuries, and medical conditions that may contradict manual therapy.

Putting the said factors into consideration, consulting with a healthcare professional is a must so as to make sure that the best course of action is going to be employed for specific situations.

Summing up

Many patients have found relief from TMD symptoms by undergoing chiropractic massage and other methods of chiro care. If you are suffering from the said condition, do not wait to get treatment. At Posture Perfect, you can receive treatment at our clinics in Manila, Davao, and Pampanga.

Our goal is to help you get back to tip-top shape. Our doctors can provide help so that you can be pain-free and back to your old self in no time. Our dedicated team is going to work hand-in-hand with you so that you can get the most of your treatment.

Book an appointment now. Our friendly as well as knowledgeable personnel are going to get back to you and provide thorough assistance.