Temporomandibular Joint Disease
is a painful condition, which affects the area where the lower jaw connects to the sides of the skull. It impairs function and sensation in the face and jaw, and may spread to the ears, neck and shoulders.
It is estimated that more than 10 million people suffer from TMJ in the United States. Perhaps as many as 90% of sufferers are women in their childbearing years.
Diagnosis is difficult because of disagreement over the causes and lack of information within the medical and dental communities. Many times patients are told their symptoms are due to psychosomatic factors.
The common symptoms of TMJ are:
- Pain in the face, jaw, neck, shoulder, back or ears.
- Popping, clicking or grating sounds with jaw movement.
- Swelling on the side of the face or mouth.
- An uncomfortable bite or a bite that seems to continually change.
- An inability to open the mouth comfortably or a limited ability to open the mouth.
- A jaw that locks open or closed.
- Swallowing difficulties.
- A deviation of the jaw to one side.
Some people also report additional symptoms in the ears, diminished hearing, dizziness, vertigo, headaches or visual disturbances.
The pain from this condition may be disabling and affect nutrition and social relationships. Poor nutrition in turn may cause further degeneration in the body and increased pain in the body.
The alignment of the temporomandibular joints is dependent upon the alignment of the body that supports them. If the pelvis, spine, neck or fascial system is unbalanced or out of alignment, they can easily pull the temporomandibular joints out of place.
Windsong Therapy and Wellness works to correct the underlying structural imbalances to relieve the stress on these delicate joints, thereby relieving the pain and correcting the problem.
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