Pain Relief: How Chiropractic Treatment Addresses TMJ Issues Linked to Malocclusion

The temporo mandibular joint (TMJ) plays a crucial role in everyday life. It allows us to speak, eat, smile, and perform many other essential functions. When this joint is out of harmony, it can cause pain and discomfort that disrupt daily activities. One common cause of TMJ pain is malocclusion, a condition where the teeth do not align properly. This misalignment creates an imbalance between the TMJ and the jaw’s neuromuscular system, leading to muscle spasms, joint noises, neck pain, headaches, and difficulty moving the jaw.

Traditional orthodontic treatments often focus on correcting the dental alignment but may not fully address the pain and muscle issues related to TMJ dysfunction. Recent research highlights the potential benefits of chiropractic treatment in relieving TMJ pain caused by malocclusion. This blog post explores how chiropractic care can support individuals suffering from TMJ discomfort linked to dental misalignment.

Understanding TMJ and Malocclusion

The TMJ is one of the most complex joints in the human body. It connects the jawbone to the skull and allows for smooth opening and closing movements. When the joint functions well, it supports vital activities such as chewing and speaking. However, when malocclusion occurs, the teeth do not meet properly, causing uneven pressure on the TMJ and surrounding muscles.

This imbalance forces the body to adapt, often resulting in:

• Muscle spasms around the jaw and neck

• Clicking or popping sounds in the joint

• Pain during jaw movement

• Headaches and neck pain

• Limited ability to open or close the mouth fully

  
  

These symptoms can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, making simple tasks painful or difficult.

How Chiropractic Treatment Helps TMJ Pain

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring balance and function to the musculoskeletal system. For TMJ issues related to malocclusion, chiropractors use gentle adjustments to the jaw, neck, and spine to relieve muscle tension and improve joint alignment. This approach targets the root causes of pain rather than just masking symptoms.

Key benefits of chiropractic treatment for TMJ pain include:

• Reducing muscle spasms: Adjustments help relax tight muscles around the jaw and neck, easing pain and improving movement.

• Improving joint function: Realigning the TMJ can reduce clicking and improve the smoothness of jaw movements.

• Enhancing neuromuscular coordination: Chiropractic care supports better communication between the nervous system and muscles, helping the jaw work more efficiently.

• Supporting orthodontic treatment: By addressing muscle and joint issues, chiropractic care can complement orthodontics and improve overall outcomes.

  
  

The Study on Chiropractic Treatment and TMJ Pain

A study presented at the International Conference of Chiropractic Research in 2009 investigated the effects of chiropractic treatment on individuals with malocclusion and TMJ pain. The study involved six participants aged 10 to 45, all diagnosed with malocclusion and experiencing TMJ discomfort.

The research compared two groups and found that chiropractic adjustments helped reduce pain and improve jaw function. This supports the idea that treating the TMJ and surrounding muscles can relieve symptoms linked to dental misalignment.

Practical Tips for Managing TMJ Pain

While chiropractic care can be effective, combining it with other strategies may provide the best results. Here are some practical tips for managing TMJ pain related to malocclusion:

• Maintain good posture: Poor posture can increase strain on the neck and jaw muscles. Keep your head aligned over your shoulders.

• Avoid hard or chewy foods: These can put extra pressure on the TMJ and worsen symptoms.

• Use warm compresses: Applying heat can relax tight muscles and reduce pain.

• Practice gentle jaw exercises: Controlled movements can improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.

• Manage stress: Stress often causes jaw clenching, which aggravates TMJ pain. Relaxation techniques can help.

  
  

Consulting with a chiropractor experienced in TMJ disorders can provide personalized care and guidance.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you experience persistent jaw pain, clicking sounds, headaches, or difficulty opening your mouth, it is important to seek professional evaluation. A healthcare provider can diagnose the cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive option that addresses both joint and muscle issues. It can be especially helpful when combined with orthodontic treatment for malocclusion.

dal Bello F, Borilli F.  Pain Alterations on the Temporo Mandibular Joint in Individuals with Malocclusion after Chiropractic Treatment. WFC’S 10th Biennial Congress. International Conference of Chiropractic Research.  Montreal, Canada. Apr 30 – May 2, 2009: 287-8.

Introduction: Temporo Mandibular Joint (TMJ) is considered the most complex joint in the human body [1].  Due to this joint, daily vital functions are possible such as: speaking, smiling and crying, kissing, yawning, and mainly eating which without it the human being would not be able to survive. When the harmony of the normal fit of the TMJ is not perfect it will provoke the individual’s adaptation, causing clinical discomfort and functional deficiencies to the system, leading to muscles spasms, clacking, neck pain, cephalgia, deficiencies on the opening and closing movements of the jaw and pain which interferes in the individuals daily activities and well-being, and also enables the normal development of vital functions [1,2].  Malocclusion is the second cause related to TMJ pain Complaints [3], due to the functional imbalance between the TMJ and the neuromuscular system of the jaw caused by unstable and not simultaneous dental contact. Orthodontics is the usual approach for these cases, although not always effective and it suggests the use of therapies that focus on the recovery of TMJ and muscles spasms in order to assist the orthodontic treatment4. The interrelation between joint, muscles and nerves lead us to believe that malocclusion has its effects on TMJ symptoms [2,5] and so on to the whole body, as the purpose of this study is to approach the individual as a whole.

Methods: The study is characterized as an almost experimental study because establishes comparisons between two non equivalent groups. The research had the participation of 6 individuals which had an orthodontics´ diagnosis of malocclusion, TMJ pain and were between 10 to 45 years old. The individuals were divided consecutively into two different groups of treatment. The first group was treated with Cervical Manual Adjustment and the second group with the basic protocol of the SOT Technique. After physical evaluation and patient’s historical being collected it was made in each visit: in the first group, the palpation of subluxations and then the manual adjustment of the cervical segment involved, in the second group, the categorization and treatment with the basic protocol of the SOT Technique. The treatment was made in 4 visits during a month. To evaluate the pain of the participant it was used an informative questionnaire, and to measure the pain it was used the Visual Analogical Scale (VAS). Both were used in the first and in the last visit to evaluate the treatment’s effects.

Results: The research showed that in 83,33% of the cases there were TMJ pain decrease in individuals with malocclusion, nevertheless in 16,66% of the cases the results of the chiropractic treatment for the pain were negative. The Manual Cervical Adjustment group obtained 100% of TMJ pain decrease, being asymptomatic after treatment. The SOT Technique group obtained a gradual improvement of TMJ pain in 66,66% of the cases, however 33,33% obtained a negative result presenting increase of TMJ pain. Both treatments had shown to be effective for the TMJ symptoms, not only for pain, but joint clacking, cephalgia, neck pain, muscles tension, enhance of the opening and closing movements of the jaw and the region’s sensitivity.

Conclusion: The results of this research showed the chiropractic treatment as being effective to the TMJ symptoms in individuals with malocclusion, and not only relating to pain, but also for cephalgia, neck pain, muscles tension, enhance of the opening and closing movements of the jaw and joint clacking, giving the individual a better life quality and well-being.

References:

1. Maciel R.N. Oclusão e ATM: procedimentos clínicos. 1ed. Editora Livraria Santos Comp. Imp. Ltda. 1998. São Paulo.

2. Howat J.M.P. Chiropractic: Anatomy and Physiology of Sacro Occipital Technique. Cranial Communication Systems. 1999. Oxford.

3. Tosa H., Imai T., Watannabe F., Sumori M., Tsuchida T., Matsuno I., Nakamura S. The clinical study on occurrence of TMJ dysfunction in orthodontic patients. Nippon Kyosei Shika Gakkai Zasshi. August, 1990 (Vol. 49, Issue 4, Pages 341-51).

4. Viazis A.D. Atlas de Orthodontia – Princípios e Aplicações Clínicas. 1ed. Livraria Santos Editora Com. Imp. Ltda. 1996. São Paulo.

5. Mongini F. ATM e Músculos Craniocervicofaciais – Fisiopatologia e Tratamento. 1ed. Livraria Santos Editora Com. Imp. Ltda. 1996. São Paulo.