If you are one of the millions of people around the world that suffer from the condition known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), you are probably willing to try almost anything to get relief from this often-debilitating condition.
Thankfully, managing your TMJD has several options that many other sufferers have found relief with. Here are just a few ideas that can help you treat TMJD pain while you are under the care of Dr. Abelar for this painful condition.
What is TMJD
Temporomandibular jaw dysfunction is a condition of the jaw caused by genetics, injury, some behaviors, and in some cases unknown causes. It occurs when the temporomandibular joint of the jaw disconnects from the jaw bone. This can cause many painful side effects, including jaw pain, neck pain, headaches (including migraine headaches), tinnitus, back pain, and teeth grinding.
What Can I Do About TMJD?
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms, the first thing you should do is schedule a consultation with Dr. Abelar. He can help diagnose you with TMJD, and get you on an appropriate treatment plan. This can include everything from a mandibular device that repositions the jaw to a more optimal position, bite guards, physical therapy, and more.
There are other options you may also want to try if you aren’t getting enough relief with your prescribed solutions. They are:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
While it may seem strange to prescribe mental health care for a jaw condition, it makes sense, especially if you are grinding your teeth. This is because your TMJD could be due to stress, which causes you to grind your teeth, thus aggravating your jaw. Some patients may benefit from therapy to help them better manage that stress, helping them to alleviate the tension they hold in their jaw in times of duress.
Surgery
While surgery is much more invasive and can be very painful, some patients have found this to bring about relief of their TMJD symptoms. We only recommend surgery as a last result, as it doesn’t always work, and it can sometimes make the problem worse.
Injectables
While it is still considered an off-brand use for TMJD treatment, some people have found temporary relief from Botox injections to the jaw. The key word here, however, is temporary. Not only is it temporary, it is also not FDA approved for this use, so you may have difficulty finding a practitioner who is willing to perform this procedure. Furthermore, the ones who are willing to do so may not be qualified to do so.
Massage
A new trend in treating TMJD is massage. This can be done by a professional or at home, but does not replace actual treatment. Rather it can temporarily reduce pain caused by TMJD.
In Conclusion
There are many out-of-the-box treatment options for treating TMJD pain while undergoing safe and effective treatment from Dr. Abelar. Please contact the office today to learn more, or to get started on a permanent, effective treatment.
