The symptoms of
temporomandibular (jaw) dysfunction (aka TMJ or TMD) are
highly varied and can comprise one or more of the
following: pain with chewing or at rest in the joint area,
clicking or popping of the joint, open or close locking of
the jaw, tooth or teeth pain (mimicking cavities or
infection), facial and/or neck pain, headaches, tinnitis
(ringing in the ears), and hypobaroacusis (stuffy ear with
or without decreased hearing).
How
Upper Cervical Care Relates to TMJ DysfunctionOne of the primary causes
of TMJ is trauma (motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries,
dental work, etc.). Restoration of normal temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) function must be made via normalization of
neurological control over the muscles that govern the TMJ.
Abnormal neural input from the central nervous system due to
upper cervical joint dysfunction (from traumatic injury) can
result in abnormal TMJ muscle coordination. Following the
trauma to the upper cervical spine and temporomandibular
joint, symptoms can be triggered immediately or can take
months or years to develop.
The purpose of Upper
Cervical care is to reverse the trauma-induced upper neck
injury; thereby reducing irritation to the nerves in the
brain stem and spinal cord that control neuromuscular
function in the face and jaw. While many TMJ sufferers
recall specific traumas such as head injuries, auto
accidents or falls, some do not. An upper cervical
examination utilizing Laser-aligned Radiography and Digital
Infrared Imaging is necessary in each individual's case to
assess whether an upper cervical injury is present and
whether benefit from Upper Cervical care can be achieved
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