Acupuncture: Effective Preventive Measure For TMJ

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a medical term that pertains to the paired joints that connect the upper and lower jaws. As one of the most complex joints in the body, TMJ can be a source of various disorders, which leads for the term TMJ to be used as a reference to the pain and dysfunction of these joints. More often than not, an effective treatment for TMJ is hard to achieve because the condition is not limited to a single bodily aspect but could also be related to dental issues, mental stress as well as neuromascular disorders.



Although there are various ways to treat TMJ, these treatments could only provide symptomatic relief to such disorder. They are not capable of addressing the main cause of the problem, which is why despite continuous treatments TMJ still occurs. Luckily, for TMJ sufferers, acupuncture is now accessible and is said to be one of the most effective alternative medicine treatments that could aid in reducing, if not eliminating, the pain and discomforts that temporomandibular joint disorder could induce. In fact, in a 2007 study, it was shown that acupuncture for TMJ significantly reduced TMJ-related short-term muscle pain among TMJ sufferers receiving acupuncture.



Acupuncture for TMJ can be applied in conjunction with other TMJ treatment approaches, especially with medications like analgesics, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and corticosteroids for severe TMJ cases. This is because acupuncture does not interfere with these modern treatments. In fact, acupuncture can even be used as a substitute for the above mentioned treatments without worrying about the risks of side effects.



Acupuncture is greatly revered for its effectiveness in reducing the pain brought about by TMJ. This is because acupuncture directly targets the main source of pain by providing balance to the mind and body and by targeting the network of energy channels known as meridians, which in turn allows the neuromascular tension in the jaw to diminish. It should be considered that TMJ pain is caused by the underlying stress and contractions found in the jaws and face. Therefore, acupuncture is applied to relax the muscles surrounding the jaws, which also lowers the stress experienced by the body, alleviating TMJ-related pain and discomforts.



Commonly, TMJ sufferers that are experiencing the chronic stage of the said condition are suggested to undergo six or more acupuncture treatments, while mild conditions can be treated in just four therapeutic sessions. It should be taken into consideration, though, that despite the relief that can be achieved through acupuncture for TMJ, there are instances that long-term treatment might still be required so as to "reeducate" the muscles surrounding the TMJ to their right functions as to avoid recurrences and complications. Complete long-term care for TMJ also requires lifestyle changes, dietary changes, stress reduction, jaw stretching exercises, relaxation techniques and modification in chewing habits.



If you're thinking of settling with acupuncture as your primary treatment approach for TMJ, do not consider doing the acupuncture yourself. Instead, visit a trusted acupuncturist to properly address the disharmonies in your body as well as the other contributing factors that cause your TMJ. Do not forget that acupuncture involves needle insertions in various target areas around your body, so it should be professionally done to avoid Qi disruption that could worsen your TMJ. Nonetheless, a reliable acupuncturist could help guide you in doing lifestyle changes to eliminate the discomforts of your TMJ.