Indi Clarke Health is a luxury in life we often take for granted until we start suffering from a disorder that’s not only painful but also inconvenient. Take TMJ disorder, for example; if not for this, many people would’ve appreciated their healthy jaws from the get-go. Did you know? It affects a lot of younger people, so if you’re suffering from this disorder and are looking for non-invasive TMJ treatment options, then you’ve come to the right page.
What is TMJ disorder? Understanding its causes and symptoms.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) joint disorder refers to the pain and tenderness one feels along their jaw joints and surrounding muscles. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a misaligned bite, arthritis, and even teeth grinding, to name a few.
Some of the telltale signs of TMJ disorder include jaw and facial pains, clicking or popping sounds in the jaw, as well as difficulty in both opening and closing the mouth. In certain cases, some people also experience headaches and earaches.
What are the non-invasive treatments I can do to relieve jaw pain?
As painful and troublesome as it may be, there are a lot of non-invasive treatments available for TMJ disorder. So don’t worry, we’ll get you smiling again, but in the meantime, here’s a list of things you can do to treat TMJ disorder:
Change your lifestyle. You know how the saying goes, “Prevention is always better than cure.” It’s best to make a few lifestyle changes, which include avoiding gum chewing and practicing good posture. It would also help if you could become more mindful of clenching your jaw daily.
Adapt simple self-care techniques. Similar to a change in lifestyle, you can do a few simple self-care techniques to relax your jaw; one of the more effective approaches is applying a cold or warm compress to the area. If possible, avoid eating hard foods as well, since they can strain your jaw muscles.
Use mouthguards. One effective solution for teeth grinding that health professionals recommend is mouthguards. Otherwise called nightguards, this helps reduce the pressure in your jaw muscles by acting as a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth.
Consider physical therapy. If the aforementioned tips aren’t working for you, then it’s also ideal to try physical therapy. Head to the nearest physical therapist in your area so they can assess you and suggest an exercise program that fits your needs.
Take over-the-counter pain medications. If you’re suffering from pain, you can take OTC pain medications like ibuprofen to temporarily relieve the pain and inflammation caused by TMJ disorder.
Adjust your diet. We mentioned that you should limit, if not avoid, your hard food intake. Instead, opt for a soft diet to significantly reduce the stress on your jaw muscles. Soup, cooked vegetables, and other soft foods like yogurt are good substitutes for each other. Hard foods should be in your diet.
Although these approaches have been proven effective in some cases, it’s always best to consult with a health professional so they can advise you which strategies work best and if you need to follow a certain program and diet to manage the pain and inflammation in your jaw better.
