What is TMJ Syndrome? Explained by Our San Antonio Chiropractor

At Dr. Phillips Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness, our chiropractic team is dedicated to serving the San Antonio area, providing the best in chiropractic care to people of all ages. Our very own chiropractor, Dr. Phillips, has more than 25 years of experience in helping people lead healthier and happier lives through spinal health and wellness. We diagnose and treat a variety of conditions here in our office, but one of the lesser known conditions related to the spine is that of TMJ disorder.

What is TMJ Disorder and What Are Its Symptoms?

TMJ disorder is a painful condition that affects the joints that control movement of the jaw (the temporomandibular joints). These are found on either side of the jaw; when these joints aren't in proper alignment or when they've become otherwise worn or damaged over time, this can make opening and closing the jaw very uncomfortable, difficult, and downright painful. People with TMJ also tend to suffer from cases of lock-jaw, where their jaws seem to freeze in place. Some also report a strange clicking or popping sound when they open and close their mouths.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

What many people fail to realize is that many instances of TMJ are actually related to the upper spine (also known as the cervical spine). When the upper vertebrae of the spine come out of alignment, this can affect the TMJ joints, resulting in pain and other aforementioned symptoms. Dr. Phillips can also adjust and align the jaw, which can also become misaligned.

The good news is that chiropractic care can be effective in providing non-invasive, drug-free relief from your pain. Specifically, aligning the jaw with chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression can be used to relieve pressure on the inter-vertebral discs, which can improve function of the TMJ joints. For localized pain, Cold Laser Therapy (CLT) techniques can also provide relief. Other potential treatment options include:

• Passive and active therapy
• Spinal decompression

Request an Appointment With Our San Antonio Chiropractor

If you're tired of the pain associated with TMJ disorder, it's time to see a chiropractor. Give Dr. Phillips Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness a call today at (210) 545-1144 to schedule your appointment and evaluation.

What symptoms of TMJ are you currently experiencing?