Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 7/1/2011

Question
I have TMJ/Myofascial Pain Syndrome.  I have sought treatment from a chiropractor twice, thus far.  Soon after my second visit, I experience some unpleasant effects; I was wondering are they normal or should there be a cause for concern?

1)Felt sharp, throbbing pain in lower rt jaw soon after getting adjustment

2)Since my last visit, I get these cracking sounds in my neck, shoulders, and wrist

3)Tingling/mild sharp pain in left arm and heart (well, that is where I think I feel this sensation)  Thank you

Lisa

Answer
Hello Lisa,


Happy 4th of July Weekend !!!

Thank you for your question.  I am sorry to hear of your pain.

Let's start from the top:
    ".......I have TMJ/Myofascial Pain Syndrome.  I have sought treatment from a chiropractor twice, thus far.  Soon after my second visit, I experience some unpleasant effects; I was wondering are they normal or should there be a cause for concern?............"
    http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Myofascial-Release-for-TMJ
    http://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/musculoskeletal/other/tmjadjust.html
    affects entire body: http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=43153
    ( To remove this limit in your life simply have your buddy totally re-adjust your spine
        including ribs, TMJ, etc. - http://www.planetc1.com/search/human-behavior.html )
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporomandibular_joint
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myofascial_pain_syndrome
    http://www.planetc1.com/search/patient-alert-are-your-painkillers-killing-you-.h...
    http://www.ccgpp.org/downloads/myofascial_trigger_points_pain_syndrome.pdf

Is this your first experience with the Doctor of Chiropractic?  The manipulative approach of Chiropractic may leave you 'sore' after the first few treatments, but really should not leave you in 'pain'.  Minor discomfort could last a day or two after CMT (chiropractic manipulative treatment), just as after exercise, physical therapy, or massage.
         If you are having soreness, it is acceptable and expected, sometimes it happens, sometimes it does not.  If you are having MORE than 'discomfort', if you are having more than a day or two of that discomofort--- TALK with your Doctor.  There are MANY different approaches within Chiropractic.  Perhaps your Doctor can change the treatment approach.  Just as Medical Doctors have hundreds of different surgical approaches, hundreds of different medicines--- so do Doctors of Chiropractic have hundreds of approaches for different conditions.

You state: "......1)Felt sharp, throbbing pain in lower rt jaw soon after getting adjustment......",  you should let your Doctor know of this pain.  Again, 'soreness' or discomfort is often expected and accepted after many medical/ chiropractic treatments.  You have to differentiate between PAIN and SORENESS.  Pain= change the treatment approach.........

You add:  "........ 2)Since my last visit, I get these cracking sounds in my neck, shoulders, and wrist.............", is your Doctor 'adjusting' your shoulders, wrists in addition to your Jaw and Neck?   As you can see from the above articles, the TMJ joint can affect many different parts of our body, these changes may come about from the TMJ and Neck adjustments, or may from being adjusted themselves.   
         The body makes noise, the heart beats like a drum, the lungs whoosh, the stomach growls, the joints >click< , crack, creak.  If that click or crack or creak is not acompanied by a pain or a locking,,,,, I would not be too concerned.  If that joint noise is accompanied by a pain or a locking, THEN I would be concerned.  Chiropractic is making CHANGES to your body- clicks (without pain) after a CMT are common.

Also you say: "........3)Tingling/mild sharp pain in left arm and heart (well, that is where I think I feel this sensation)  Thank you......",  again---- PAIN = talk with your Doctor, a re-evaluation and/or a change in treatment approach could be necessary.
         Chiropractic CHANGES the way our joints work, theway our muscles feel, even affects the nerves that cross those joints that are treated.  The body adapts.  Perhaps your body has adapted to 'bad habits' of posture and movement for YEARS; perhaps this discomfort you are feeling is expected as these changes take place.  BUT, if you have PAIN---- timne to talk to your Doctor, perhaps time for a different treatment technique approach.

I hope this all helps, Lisa.  TALK with your Doctor, report the effects of the treatment.

Chiropractic usually does well with TMJ/ Myofascial complaints, give it some time, give it some communication with your Doctor.  And if it does not work well with this Doctor----- perhaps switch to another Chiropractor close by.  Just as people switch MDs looking for the right one for them, Medicine is not monolithic and neither is Chiropractic.

Thanks for the Question, Happy 4TH !!!!
I wish you Good Health, Naturally !!!

Dr. Vic Dolan, DC, DACBSP