Trung Hau, Nguyen. (2021). How is temporomandibular joint disease treated? (image). VinMec International Hospital. https://www.vinmec.com/en/news/doctor-qa/how-is-temporomandibular-joint-disease-treated/.
The Temporomandibular joints (TMJs), or the jaw joints, are made up of the Temporal bone of the skull and the Mandible, or lower jaw. TMJ disorders involve ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. The TMJs move when we chew, talk, or even swallow. They are probably the most used joint in the body.
Injury and tension can often cause these joints to become misaligned. Jaw/head/neck pain and chronic headaches are common with TMJ disorders.
The term "TMJ" or "TMD," also known as "temporomandibular joint dysfunction" or "TMJ disorder," refers to a variety of symptoms that develop when the jaw joint and the muscles that surround it are disturbed. About 20 to 30 percent of adults suffer from TMJ issues, which are more common in women and people in their 20s and 40s. It frequently refers to jaw pain and dysfunction that negatively impacts one's normal day-to-day activities.
Some common jaw pain cases can include:
Ear pain
Jaw pain
Temple / cheek pain
Jaw popping / clicking
Jaw dislocation
Case Study - Chiropractic treatment using chiropractic protocol developed by Activator Methods:
Objective:
To determine if there was a basis for the treatment of Temporomandibular disease (TMD) using the chiropractic protocol developed by Activator Methods, International.
Setting:
Private, solo practice of an Activator advanced proficiency rated chiropractor with 15 years’ experience.
Participants:
Nine adult volunteers with articular TMD recruited from the practice of the treating clinician.
Main Outcome Measures:
Change from baseline to follow-up of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and maximum active mouth opening without pain.
Interventions:
Full spine and TMJ adjusting in accordance with the advanced protocol of Activator Methods, International. Participants were typically seen 3 times per week for 2 weeks and according to individual progress thereafter for 6 more weeks.
Results: Eight participants completed outcome assessments. The median VAS decrease was 45 mm (range 21-71); all experienced improvement. The median increase of mouth opening was 9 mm (range 1-15); all showed improvement.
Conclusion:
The results of this prospective case series indicated that the TMD symptoms of these participants improved following a course of treatment using the Activator Methods International protocol. Consequently, further investigation of this type of chiropractic treatment for patients with the particular type of TMD is warranted. (1 Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003;26:421-5)
The assessments and subsequent diagnosis and treatments conducted by Dr. Hardas are based on clinical research that he has retained from RNSH (Royal North Shore Hospital), PMRI (Pain Management Research Institute), ORI (Orthopaedic Research Institute – St George Hospital) and presentations to AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), SMA (Sports Medicine Australia) and COCA (Chiropractic and Osteopathic Collage Australia).