Expert: Michael Boss - 8/21/2004

Question
My TMJ specialist said that Chiropractic treatment would help with my condition, IS it true? What therapies would a chiropractor use to treat TMJ and the postural neck and shoulder pain that it has caused? Is there special chiropractors out there that would be best for the treatment of TMJ or would just any chiropractor work?


Answer
Dear Erin,

Thank you for your question and I hope that I can shed some light on the subject to help you with your TMJ problem.  

First of all, YES chiropractic treatment can help you TMJ.  I do a lot of work in the area and utilize several methods of treatment to get the results that I want. What you need to do is call around and ask the doctors' if they work with TMJ and how much experience they have.  My brother is a dentist who works with it so I have gotten to gain his expertise and see how it is treated from the dental side and combine treatments to get better results.

The way I approach it is to correct spinal joint dysfunction in the neck and upper back, muscle tightness and spasm and trigger points (knots) in the muscles of the neck and upper back, as well as the muscles of the jaw. By correcting these problems, stress is taken off of the jaw and TMJ and then the TMJ specialists' treatment will be more effective. I utilize muscle stimulation, massage and acupuncture (highly effective for TMJ), as well as chiropractic manipulation. If you are suffering headaches along with the TMJ, you will find great relief.  The TMJoint itself should also be manipulated.  This will free any joint restrictions/adhesions that have formed. With treatment, your postural problems will be corrected and resolved as well.

TMJ cases are difficult.  They usually require a significant amount of time and treatment. You should see some relief after about 6 treatments, but you may feel somewhat worse after the first few.  I do have patients that find relief after a visit or two, but be patient and don't expect too much too soon. You should prepare for a couple of months of treatment at possibly 2-3 times per week.  It sounds like a lot but these are hard cases.  However, if you get the results that I see with my patients, it will be well worth it.  Living without TMJ pain is truly a blessing.  I know because my wife has been through it.  

I am assuming that you are wearing a night guard appliance and taking other steps from the TMJ specialist.  Next is to find a good chiropractor who will take time and work with you to resolve this problem.  

Ask around and find a D.C. who works with TMJ.  Let me know how it goes and if you have any other questions, contact me through allexperts.com.

Good luck and God Bless,

Michael S. Boss, D.C.