TMJ: Dental Care or Acupuncture?
By Dr. Renae Haldeman · New to some of these words? See the glossary.
A couple of weeks ago, I talked with a dentist. He said that many of his patients have a common problem that is hard to treat in a dental office. It is called TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint (the joint that connects your jaw to your skull). TMJ pain comes from clenching your teeth and tightening your jaw. Some people clench their jaw all night and wake up with severe jaw pain. Others have trouble relaxing their jaw muscles during stressful days. How can we help at Renaissance Health Centre? Acupuncture is a soothing treatment for jaw tension. There are certain points that, when stimulated, can help ease jaw tension. Along with easing pain right in the jaw, acupuncture is very good at easing stress in the whole body. It can help a patient feel more able to handle the stress around them. Patients are often surprised by how much better and calmer they feel after acupuncture.
One woman was dealing with stress after a divorce. Her jaw would not line up and settle into its normal bite the way it used to. She saw several healthcare providers, including a dentist, a chiropractor, and a muscle and nerve specialist. She had imaging, chiropractic adjustments, mouth guards, and more, but she got no real relief. One provider even suggested putting full crowns on all her teeth to change her bite. After that visit, she was more frustrated than ever. She came to Renaissance Health Centre on a whim, hoping acupuncture might help. She was doubtful, and she came less often than we advised. In the end, she was shocked at the relief she felt after even just a few acupuncture treatments. She became a true believer that acupuncture was helping in many more ways than just easing her jaw pain. Her overall health got much better, and her main problem, her jaw not lining up, was solved.
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This article is educational and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Please talk with a licensed healthcare provider about your own health.