Temperomandibular joint disfunction (TMD), or TMJ as it is commonly referred to, is characterized as damage, along with inflammation, tightness, and/or pain within the temperomandibular joint. The temperomandibular joint connects the back of the jaw to the skull. TMJ can cause pain and general discomfort when chewing, yawning, or moving the jaw.
What is the cause of TMJ?
Most cases of TMJ arise from stress and grinding of teeth. Stress can cause constant clenching of the teeth, and is often done subconsciously and can occur during sleep. Grinding of the teeth also puts an immense amount of pressure on the temperomandibular joint. A direct hit to the jaw or whiplash can also contribute to TMJ. When the joint experiences constant pressure or a major blow, it becomes inflamed and sometimes damaged, causing pain and discomfort.
What are the symptoms?
- Pain in the side of the jaw
- Pain when chewing or clenching teeth
- Pain around ears
- Popping sound in ears when moving jaw
- Jaw locks and is difficult to open or close
Dr. Petersen is well trained to correctly diagnose and treat TMJ. See the list below of multiple treatment options.
Treatments
Treatment in our office is broken down into three segments:
- Pain reduction
Stopping or decreasing the activity that is causing the pain is the main goal of our first treatment segment. Applying ice and heat alternatively throughout the day will help with both pain and inflammation. Our Class 4 laser treatment is very effective for this segment. - Exercise and proper stretching
Custom and effective physiotherapy regiment to both decrease pain and restore proper function - A range of treatments to restore oxygen and proper nutrients to the damaged segment
- ART Active Release Technique
- Class 4 laser
- Graston Technique Therapy
Successful in effectively treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic, acute or post- surgical. The technique and instruments enable the treatment of scar tissue and fascial restrictions during rehabilitation that allows for faster rehabilitation and with greater success when the goal is restoring range of motion, eliminating pain, and restoring normal function. - E-stim
Electric muscle stimulation using a device that delivers electronic pulses to motor nerves through electrodes placed on the skin, causing a motor response to achieve a number of desired results. - Cold laser
Cold laser therapy is low-intensity laser therapy that stimulates healing while using low levels of light. Different wavelengths and outputs of low-level light are applied directly to a targeted area where the body tissue then absorbs the light. The red and near-infrared light cause a reaction and the damaged cells respond with a physiological reaction that promotes regeneration.