Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 5/10/2011

Question
I have been having this combination of symptoms:  neck pain - spasms, stiffness, cracking, some grinding @ times, jaw cracking, & occasional vertigo.  What do you recommend?  Thank you, Lynn

Answer
Hi Lynn,

These symptoms are commonly associated with a jaw joint, or temoromandibular joint (TMJ).   If you have TMJ dysfunction (TMJD) it can lead to pain.   Some of the signs of TMJD include cracking, popping, of the joints and pain.   If you are older, e.g. 40's on up, and you have osteoarthitis or degenerative changes to the joints of your neck and jaw, this will also lend itself to the popping, cracking, "like gravel or sand" (I often hear this complaint) when you turn your head.   In TMJD where the joint becomes more irritated it can also cause dizziness.  If there are signs that you might have an arthritic TMJ, then x-ray or MRI would be used to assess it.  But if there are signs that you might not, then you would obtain a course of treatment first to see if everything can get resolved.   The TMJ dental specialist would make sure you have a normal bite, or aligment of teeth when you chew.  They would provide an oral appliance to tweak the aligment, and for some folks the appliance is worn just at night and for others during the day, and for some it's both.   That's one end of the loop. The other end is addressing the TMJ and all of the surrounding joint systems, especially the neck and upper back joints.  A well-trained chiropractor can improve the joint function by reducing adhesions in the musculature with various soft tissue techniques and freeing-up stuck joints with skilled joint manipulation.  This can improve the TMJD and reduce the pain.   There are some tips on finding a good chiropractor on my web site: www.drgillman.com. in the info tab.   Not all dentists are good at TMJD, so do your homework.  Not all chiropractors are, either, and not all chiropractors have adequate training in soft tissue therapies, e.g. Graston Technique or Active Release, so again do your homework...

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G'