TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Disorder or syndrome is a complex condition causing a wide variety of painful symptoms.
Often thought of as a problem for dentists, patients can find it difficult to find solutions to their myriad of pain symptoms. However, there is a great deal of help at hand that can bring about rapid changes to your pain levels and symptoms.
I can work with your dentist if preferred and liaise with them over your treatment.
These are just some of the symptoms that people with TMJ Disorder can experience:
Pain when eating, a limited range of movement within the jaw, grating sounds of the jaw joint, tinnitus, and neck, shoulder, and hip pain.
Causes of TMJ Disorder symptoms:
Malformation or misalignment of the jaw e.g. overbite or underbite.
Dental work.
Impact or trauma to the head.
Degeneration of the jaw joint, e.g. inflammation or arthritis.
Displaced disc in joint.
Stress.
Grinding and clenching teeth.
Misalignment of the pelvis and forward head posture.
Treatment of TMJ Disorder:
I have 20 years of experience in treating soft tissue pain conditions and the TMJ (or jaw joint) is held in place by soft tissue. My training has been developed over 40 years by a dental nurse, Tracey Kiernan of Blend Therapy and Training. Her work with a dentist led to the creation of this treatment. Her results were remarkable; this is the knowledge I am now trained in. Leading experts in TMJ study with her.
TMJ treatments are full-body treatments. Depending on your range of symptoms and medical history I will be looking to make a full posture analysis of your gait. I will take a very thorough medical history to discover all the contributory reasons for your condition. Then I will make a medical examination of your jaw to determine where the problem most likely is. Once this has been covered we will start the process of soft tissue work to help reduce pain. The work is slow and cautious. If your condition is chronic we need to take a great deal of care to bring about change gently.
I've had great success with migraine sufferers and neck and facial pain patients. Often stiff shoulders and necks contribute the most referred pain in the jaw and face, so we start here first. I will then look further to see what else could be contributing to pain and work to correct this.
Your jaw and pelvis are inextricably linked which is why it Is important to assess the whole body as problems in one area are carried through to another.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on your level of pain and medical history, how long you've had symptoms and how severe they are. Expect at least 3 X 90-minute sessions. Chronic cases will need an initial 2-hour session and 90-mins thereafter. In milder cases, an initial 90-minute session and 75-minute follow-ups.
What is a TMJ treatment like?
The treatment can be extremely relaxing. With the use of myofascial and cranial sacral techniques, I endeavour to calm the nervous system as much as possible. This enables you to receive deep work in a very relaxed state. With communication, we work together to relieve all the tension in the muscles involved in your pain. Patients usually report a huge sense of relief as their pain is finally being addressed.
I love to talk!
Please give me a call if you'd like to discuss this to see if this is the right treatment for you. My mobile is 07971552687.
I am currently qualified and insured to Level 2 of my TMJ Diploma and working towards the full Diploma this year. I am working successfully with TMJ clients, and look forward to the opportunity to help you too.