TMJ
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Acupuncture is a widely practiced form of Chinese medicine that is highly effective for the treatment of TMJ or Temporomandibular joint. It relieves pain and discomfort by relaxing muscles and releasing endorphins and discomfort by relaxing muscles and releasing endorphins and serotonin hormone that promotes feelings of well-being.
Top 10 Symptoms of TMJ
TMJ promotes Stiffness and tension in the area of the neck and shoulders. People with TMJ disorders have the most common complaint which includes :
Pain in cheeks
Jaw clicking
Popping of jaw bones
Limited movement of the jaw
Clenching of jaw
Grinding teeth at night and tooth pain
Ear pain and headache, migraine
Stiffness in neck and shoulder
How does it work?
There are lots of acupuncture professionals who use this treatment for TMJ pain and treat TMJ disorder. While treating acupuncture needles are inserted around the face, neck, ear, and jaw. These TMJ trigger points can cause headache, and facial pain restrict range of motion in the jaw. These needles can be placed on other acupuncture points on the body such as the knee, elbow, and big toe.
Specific acupuncture points correlated with specific functions.The professionals treat a large number of cases who are suffering from neck and jaw pain. And receiving great results.
Does Acupuncture Help TMJ?
Acupuncture for TMJ relieves the pain and discomfort that is caused by muscles and releases endorphins and serotonin. As per the study dental patients who are taking treatment of acupuncture for TMJ reduced their pain Intensity by 75%.
Improve the action of the muscles that open and close the jaw by using facial acupuncture points to stimulate the temporalis muscle. Releasing TMJ trigger points in the masseter, lateral/medial pterygoid, and temporalis muscles can help to reduce pain and increase the range of motion in the TMJ.
It reduces stress and promotes relaxation. Acupuncture relaxes the muscles of the jaw and face which are often contracted when you are stressed. It also helps to regulate the production and release of hormones involved in the stress response (cortisol, noradrenaline, serotonin) to help the body cope with stress better.
What are other acupuncture techniques?
Other acupuncture techniques include:
Moxibustion
Chinese massage
Exercise
Diet
Herbs
Cupping
What Alternative Treatments Are Available For TMJ?
Along with other nonsurgical treatments, different medication options can help relieve the pain associated with TMJ disorders:
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
Medications are not helpful to relieve TMJ pain when the pain is over the counter. Professional mat describes a stronger pain reliever for a limited time.
Tricyclic antidepressants.
Such a kind of medication is mostly used in the treatment of depression but sometimes in pain relief and sleeplessness, this medication is used in low doses.
Muscle relaxants.
A muscle relaxant is sometimes used for a few days or week to relieve the pain During the treatment of TMJ.
Therapies
Various therapists like Oral splints or mouth guards, Physical therapy, and counseling are also found helpful in this treatment.
How to Get Acupuncture
Chinese Medicine practitioners believe that the energy that flows through the body qi. These qi disruptions can create imbalances in the body that lead to illness.
Accpuncture practitioners use needles that touch acupuncture points throughout the body. Hundreds of acupoints in the body along with 14 major meridians. They are called the energy-carrying channels.
If you want to do acupuncture treatment, always go with an experienced licensed acupuncturist. Medical professionals also get some extra training to do acupuncture treatment.
What to expect during acupuncture treatment
- Acupuncture can help you to reduce the pain of TMJ. If you have decided to take an acupuncture treatment, you need to book an appointment.
- Once you book an appointment with an acupuncture professional, you need to fill out the quick online form that includes your details and any medical conditions you face before or any allergies.
- They may ask more specifically about your symptoms of depression. Along with these, you need to give the information about How long you're facing the problem? What are the effects it causes in your life?
- During the actual treatment, you will have to sit or lie down on the table. they will insert some needles into the acupuncture point on the area of your body.
- Typically needles remain inserted in the body for between 22 to 45 minutes, depending on the symptoms of the patient.
- Acupuncture professionals can include you in your care by providing some homework such as lifestyle recommendations. These treatment sessions may vary depending upon the medical condition of the patient and the time required to be treated or cured.
During the Acupuncture Treatment of TMJ
Acupuncture points are situated in almost all areas of the body. Sometimes it happens that the appropriate point is to be removed from the area of your pain. An acupuncture professional will guide you regarding the treatment. Patients need to lie on a periodic table for this treatment. It generally involves :
What Happens During Acupuncture Treatment?
During your actual session, they’ll insert long, thin needles into different pressure points on your body. Depending on the pressure points used, this could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Your acupuncturist might also twist the needles or apply an electrical pulse to them. They’ll leave the needles in for up to 20 minutes before carefully removing them.
You likely won’t feel instant gratification. Most acupuncture treatments are intended to be repeated. Some people report immediate improvements but most notice subtle and gradual changes with repeated visits.
Needle insertion
In the acupuncture treatment needles are inserted in the various acupuncture points on your body. These needles are very thin in size so insertion may cause little discomfort. This treatment can use 5 to 20 noodles. Patients might feel some mind-aching sensation at the time the needle reaches the current depth.
Needle manipulation
Sometimes acupuncture professionals can gently move or twirl the needle after placement. They might apply some hit or mild electric pulses to the needle.
Needle removal
When needles remain in place for 10 to 15 minutes you should lie still and relax. It helps you to avoid discomfort when needles are removed.
How Does Acupuncture Help TMJ?
- Acupuncture can regulate energy flow throughout the body. It stimulates the production of endorphins that are essential for mental health and well-being. Endorphins Are nothing but the “feel good” chemicals released in the human brain.
- Acupuncture stimulates digestion function, improves blood pressure levels, reduces pain and normalizes heart rates. It is a worthwhile treatment of depression in pregnant women,
- It is used as a cognitive behavioral therapy on its own or in combination with other forms of treatment, In order to treat the symptoms of depression.
Are There Any Risks?
Most data tell us that acupuncture is safe, but we should consider the risk of this treatment. The side effects of it are mild or rare. A patient will experience:
- Bleeding
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Pain during and after acupuncture
If the patients have any history of allergies should inform the acupuncturist. Metal needles, a chemical that is used to clean the skin may cause an allergic reaction.
Results
Every time it is difficult to measure the benefits of acupuncture in the pain of TMJ, but it is noticed that many people find it helpful as it helps to control many painful conditions. Acupuncture gives the best results for the people who expect it to work. Due to some side effects, It is worth trying if you are having symptoms of depression and feel it difficult to control it with your conventional methods.
Acupuncture has few side effects, so it may be worth a try if you’re having trouble controlling pain with more-conventional methods.
FAQ's
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How many acupuncture treatments are needed for TMJ?
In an earlier study, 85% of patients receiving acupuncture for TMJ saw a 75% reduction in pain levels after just three treatments. Acupuncture for TMJ research continues to show the benefits of this complementary medical approach to treating chronic pain conditions.
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What are the points treated in TMJ treatment by acupuncture?
The Traditional Acupuncture Points we often needle are local points on the face or jaw: ST 5, ST 6, ST 7 GB 2, SJ 17. These are on the Stomach, Gallbladder, and San Jiao channels. We also needle-specific facial muscles to trigger the tight muscle fibers to release.
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Which is the most successful treatment for TMJ?
Bite guards are the most widely recommended treatment for moderate TMJ symptoms. Studies reveal that splints can reduce TMJ pain and the risk of long-term side effects is minimal. There are two main types of dental splint, a TMJ mouth guard, and a bruxism (tooth grinding) mouth guard.
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Can acupuncture help a clicking jaw?
Acupuncture treatment can also help the muscles involved with jaw function to relax, alleviating the “clicking” or “popping” associated with TMJ disorders.
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What are the benefits of acupuncture jaw?
Often TMD is due to underlying stress held in the jaw or contracted muscles in the jaw and face. Acupuncture can help you relax these targeted muscles and decrease the overall stress level in the body to relieve TMJ discomfort. The best care of TMD requires effective lifestyle changes.
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