Q&A – Acupuncture for TMJ Relief
What exactly does a TMJ diagnosis mean?
TMJ disorder or syndrome is actually an umbrella term used to describe a variety of conditions resulting in pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles associated with chewing and other jaw movement. The root causes of TMJ disorder are not well understood although trauma appears to be one of the major causes of joint and muscular dysfunction.
Symptoms that can accompany a TMJ diagnosis but are not necessarily indicative of TMJ disorder include pain in the joint or chewing muscles, radiating pain to the face and neck, jaw locking or painful clicking, and changes in the fit or alignment of upper and lower teeth.
What are the conventional treatments of TMJ?
What are their benefits and disadvantages?
- eating soft foods
- application of ice packs
- avoiding extreme jaw movements
- stress reduction
- gentle jaw stretching and relaxation exercises
- over-the counter pain relievers such as NSAIDs, etc.
In the event that these options do not relieve the pain and other symptoms, your dentist may opt to prescribe stronger painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants.
Additionally, one of the most common conservative treatments is the bite guard and its sleep-related cousin, the night guard. Bite guards fit over the upper and lower teeth and are designed to alleviate pain and tension in the jaw. Night guards have various permutations designed to fit over the teeth to discourage bruxism, or teeth-grinding, and alleviate pain and tension.
If these therapies are ineffective in alleviating the discomfort of TMJ disorder, surgery may also be recommended. While surgical intervention may result in less pain and discomfort, it is currently unclear as to whether surgery is indicated for all patients for whom conservative treatments are ineffective and there is ongoing evidence to indicate that multiple jaw surgeries result in a poor prognosis for future pain relief and normal jaw function. If you elect to have surgery, the best advice is to proceed with as much information as possible about the possible benefits and risk both now and in the future.
How does acupuncture treat TMJ? How does it work?
Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing response to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, relax tense muscles, and restore adequate blood flow to areas affected by pain, inflammation, tension, and other dysfunctions.
In general, acupuncture treatments consist of an in-depth intake and interview regarding your particular symptoms and pain issues, an acupuncture treatment including needles inserted in various areas of the body-both far away and near the areas of pain, and ongoing recommendations for lifestyle change and herbal prescription. Initial treatments are 90 minutes in length and follow-up appointments are 60 minutes.
How many treatments will I need?
Every body is different and every improvement is different. However, as acupuncture actively stimulates the body’s healing response, boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and relaxing tense musculature, most people notice some improvement within the first 1-3 treatments.
Improvement from there is often tied to the length of time that you have been in pain prior to treatment. That means that the longer that you have held the pain without treatment, the longer it will take to see lasting improvement. Note that improvement also hinges on dental and orthodontic recommendations, lifestyle changes, and frequency of treatment.
Will I be able to stop using my nightguard?
It is possible, but only on the recommendation of your prescribing dentist or orthodontist. Acupuncture is not a substitute for dental and orthodontic therapeutic recommendations.