What Makes Headache, Neck Pain, and Jaw Disorder Relevant to Each Other? Ask Your Chiropractor Lawrenceville GA about It

Every year, millions of people experience the extreme pain of migraine headaches and neck pain. But did you know that these may just be some symptoms of a common jaw problem called temporomandibular disorder? This disorder is often referred to as TMD, which is usually caused by an improper bite alignment. This may mean a lot of stress suffering from headache and neck pain due to TMD. The good news is that your chiropractor Lawrenceville GA can help relieve headaches and neck pain caused by jaw problems.

What is a Temporomandibular Disorder?

A temporomandibular disorder is a result of problems associated with the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles that control the movement of the jaw. Sign and symptoms of TMD include:

• Jaw tenderness or pain
• Aching pain in and around your ear
• Chewing difficulty or discomfort
• Facial aches
• Locking of the joint leading to difficulty in opening or closing your mouth
• Headache and neck pain
• Uncomfortable and uneven bite

The Jaw Joint

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or what we know as the jaw joint is associated with the upper cervical vertebrae. The muscles that move the jaw are largely innervated by the fifth cranial nerve, or the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is one of the most complex and powerful nerves in the human body because it is completely responsible for the jaw and tooth functions. It provides sensation to the jaw, face, tongue, sinus, palate, eyes, teeth, and lips.

The Trigeminal Nerve

The trigeminal nerve accounts for about 40% of the brain’s processing. It means that our brain consumes 40% of its energy just to determine what the trigeminal nerve is sending to and from it. Also, the nerve is associated to the facial, hypoglossal, and vagus nerves which are responsible for sensation and function of almost all other muscles of the head, neck, and throat. Many branches of these nerves pass through the jaw joint. If one of them is damaged or injured, the rest of the nerves may get affected as well.

What Causes TMD?

Our jaw joint is one of the most complicated joints in our body. It consists of complex arrangement of muscles and ligaments that allow various types of movements. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disc, which keeps the movement smooth. Any injury or problem that stops the muscles, ligaments, discs, and bones from working normally together can cause TMD. Some other possible causes include:

• Grinding or clenching the teeth
• Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket
• Presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Stress

An incorrect bite may cause a lot of stress and pressure to your jaw. In severe cases, you may find it difficult to open your mouth widely, or sometimes you may feel clicking, cracking or a “pop” when you open your mouth. Often, patients report the onset of TMJ occurring with some sort of unusual stress, such as final exams, or work-related issues.

Why People Rely On Chiropractic Care?

People choose chiropractic care because the approach is much gentler, cheaper, and safer compared to surgeries and medications. Chiropractic care has been proven to be effective in eliminating TMD symptoms. If you are suffering from the symptoms of TMD, you may visit your Lawrenceville GA chiropractor for a treatment.

Chiropractic manipulation is recommended along with massage, ice/heat therapy, and some specific exercises particularly stretching and strengthening exercises. Tight muscles can be relaxed with the help of stretching exercises, while loose muscles can be tighten with the help of strengthening exercises.

Disorders which are mechanical in nature respond well to chiropractic treatment. Therefore, Lawrenceville GA chiropractic care is very effective with TMD. Because problems are examined thoroughly, chiropractic care tops the list of health care provisions.