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For many people experiencing pain and dysfunction in their Temporomandibular joint and the muscles that control jaw movement – a condition commonly called “TMJ”, acupuncture serves as one of the most effective drug-free treatments available.
Understanding Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a nonspecific diagnosis that represents a group of often painful and/or dysfunctional conditions involving the muscles of mastication and/or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Epidemiological studies have shown that approximately 10% of the population is affected, and 30-year-old women are most likely to be affected by TMD. The main signs and symptoms of TMD include TMJ clicking, acute or chronic myofascial or oral masticatory muscle pain, tenderness of the masticatory muscles, and abnormal jaw movements.
Causes of TMJ Disorders
The exact cause of a person's TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, arthritis or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth (bruxism), although many people habitually clench or grind their teeth and never develop TMJ disorders.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:
Pain or tenderness of your jaw
Pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
Aching pain in and around your ear
Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
Aching facial pain
Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
Acupuncture for TMJ
Fortunately, for those suffering from TMJ, acupuncture is extremely helpful in relieving the inflammation, pain and tension commonly associated with the condition. Patients with acute pain can experience immediate relief in a few treatments, with more chronic conditions taking a series of treatments over several weeks.
[Read more: Acupuncture: An Overview of Scientific Evidence] [Read more: Know the Different Types of Acupuncture]
Research Supporting Acupuncture for TMD
Researchers at the Universidad Europea de Madrid in Spain published a meta-analysis of acupuncture studies for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) such as TMJ and others. The researchers looked at 8 previous studies and considered 4 of them of high enough quality to be included in their meta-analysis. By combining the studies and analyzing the results, it was concluded that acupuncture is more effective than placebo in reducing pain intensity in TMD.[1]
Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Holistic Approach
Traditional Chinese medicine is an approach that works both locally and systemically. Acupuncture works at jaw area for relieving muscle spasms and inflammation while herbal supplements work for reducing stress and system imbalances. The benefit for the patient is the convenience and potential for resolving a number of related issues within the treatment session.
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