How to Cure TMJ
TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint. It is where your mandible (movable lower jaw) connects to your maxilla (fixed, upper jaw of skull).
TMJ pain occurs when a condyle of the mandible (the rounded ends on each side) does not glide properly during jaw movement. Like a dislocated elbow, the abnormal alignment and movement irritates sensory nerves, producing a sharp, shooting pain.
TMJ may involve herniation of a small piece of soft tissue within the joint called the disc, which is responsible for cushioning the articulating surfaces in the TMJ. The disc slips out of position and jams the joint, impeding movement when opening and closing the mouth. Sometimes a loud “click” is heard with movement, which is believed to come from the loose disc material.
Grinding your teeth at night and eating hard candy or chewing gum on one side of the jaw, repeatedly, can lead to TMJ problems. These forces can subluxate the articulation and put the mandible out of alignment relative to maxilla.
This video course demonstrates self-treatment techniques to alleviate and correct TMJ.