Acupuncture for TMJ
What Is Acupuncture for TMJ ?
Top 10 Symptoms of TMJ
- 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 Acupuncture 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?
- Moxibustion (application of heat)
- Chinese massage (Tui Na)
- Exercise
- Diet
- Herbs
- Cupping (where a cup is applied to the skin, and the pressure in the cup is decreased, drawing the skin and muscles up into the cup).
What Alternative Treatments Are Available For TMJ?
Medications
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
- Acupuncture 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
Needle Insertion
Needle Manipulation
Needle Removal
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.
Risks
Bleeding
Nausea
Dizziness
Headache
Pain during and after acupuncture
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many acupuncture treatments are needed for TMJ?
2. What are the points treated in TMJ treatment by acupuncture?
3. Which is the most successful treatment for TMJ?
4. Can acupuncture help a clicking jaw?
5. What are the benefits of acupuncture jaw?
Begin The Process Of Staying Well
Healing Pain and Balancing the Body Through Acupuncture
