TMJ (tempormandiular joint) problems are very common and are often caused by dental work, grinding of one’s teeth during sleep or clenching of the jaw when stressed and tense. Does you jaw feel tight, does it click and is there pain?
Dentist may often suggest a mouth guard to stop one from grinding their teeth. Constant grinding may lead to a stiff neck as the neck muscles are close to the TMJ muscles.
Acupuncture can unleash the tightness and pain in these muscles and retrains the muscles in the face to let go …retraining memory. There are many acupuncture points and meridians running through the face.
I have been working with a patient recently on her TMJ problem and here is what she says
QUOTE
Houng was recommended to me by a friend. I had been experiencing serious TMJ problems for more than 12 months when I went to see Houng and had tried osteopathy, remedial massage, traditional medicine and physiotherapy with limited success. I was in a significant amount of pain and the issue was impacting all aspects of my life, including the ability to sleep. Houng made a significant impact from the very first treatment and the progress has been consistent. My quality of life has increased tenfold and I am so grateful to Houng. I would not hesitate to recommend her. She is not only knowledgable but highly intuitive and the two combined are such a valuable combination
UNQUOTE
Please refer to these published research on the how acupuncture can successfully treat TMJ problems
Bergström I, List T, Magnusson T. . Acta Odontol Scand. 2008 Apr. Vol. 66(2):88-92.A follow-up study of subjective symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in patients who received acupuncture and/or interocclusal appliance therapy 18-20 years earlier
Shen YF, Goddard G. The short-term effects of acupuncture on myofascial pain patients after clenching. Pain Pract. 2007 Sep. Vol. 7(3):256-64.
Rosted P, Bundgaard M, Pedersen AM. The use of acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction–an audit. Acupunct Med. 2006 Mar. Vol. 24(1):16-22.
Rosted P. Practical recommendations for the use of acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders based on the outcome of published controlled studies. Oral Dis. 2001 Mar. Vol. 7(2):109-15.