TMJ Treatment Specialist
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Cottrell Chiropractic
Terry Cottrell, DC
Chiropractor located in Issaquah, WA
Dr. Terry Cottrell has a wealth of experience in treating TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder. TMJ can be troublesome and even get in the way of eating since it’s the sliding-hinge joint connecting your jawbone to your skull. At Cottrell Chiropractic in Issaquah, Washington, the focus is on providing pain relief and positive results. Call or book online.
TMJ Treatment Q & A
What is TMJ?
TMJ is the shortened term for pain in your temporomandibular joint, the joint on either side of your jaw that connects your jawbone to your skull. The sliding-hinge joints work with the muscles and cartilage surrounding them to allow you to move your jaw around.
If the joints don’t move properly or become damaged or inflamed, TMJ can be the result. TMJ is also known as tmd, temporomandibular disorder.S
What are the other symptoms of TMJ?
Other symptoms of TMJ are:
- Earaches
- Pain in the neck or face
- Pain in both or one of your jaw joints
- Clicking or popping sounds coming from your jaw
- Pain in your jaw when eating and moving it around
- Stiff muscles throughout the jaw and sometimes even in your neck
What causes TMJ?
Commonly, the small piece of cartilage in your joint can come out of place and result in TMJ. Other causes are:
- Misaligned teeth or jaw
- Trauma, accident, or injury to the jaw, such as a dislocation
- Consistently grinding your teeth and exerting too much pressure on your jaw
- Arthritis, which can damage the cartilage and cause swelling and inflammation of the joint
- Stress and anxiety can exacerbate TMJ either by creating swelling and inflammation in the area or by causing you to grind your teeth, often during sleep
What are the treatments for TMJ?
Dr. Cottrell sees many patients who are suffering from TMJ and offers many effective treatment methods such as:
Rehabilitative exercises
Rehabilitative exercises can disperse inflammation and increase your range of motion.
Low-force pressure adjustments
Low-force pressure adjustments allow Dr. Cottrell to realign your joint and make sure everything is in the correct place.
Activator method
The activator method is an alternative to manual adjustments by using a handheld instrument to deliver gentle impulses to the affected area in order to realign your joints.
Other tips for relieving TMJ pain are to put a hot or cold compress on your jaw, eat softer foods so as not to aggravate the problem, and try to do regular exercises to gently and slowly stretch your jaw.
Regardless of how your TMJ occurred, Dr. Cottrell has many solutions that can ease your pain, take your mind off things, and get you feeling better. Call or book your appointment online.
