By Kristoff Saurette

&

Kevin Lucas

TMJ Overview

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health indicates that 10.8 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time.

It affects both men and women but 90% seeking treatment are women in their child-bearing years.

Causes of TMJ Medical research has not yet defined all the

causes of the various TMJ diseases/disorders. Some patients report having TMJD symptoms following dental procedures, the insertion of a breathing tube prior to surgery, trauma, or oral habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth. Conditions that occur in other joints in the body, such as arthritis, can also precipitate or aggravate TMJ pain and dysfunction.

Common Symptoms• Facial pain• Pain in the jaw joint and surrounding

tissues, including the ear• Jaw locking open or closed• Limited opening or inability to open the

mouth comfortably• Headaches• Bite that feels uncomfortable, "off", or as if

it is continually changing• Neck, shoulder and back pain• Swelling on the side of the face• Tinnitus

Common Treatment Sometimes TMJ problems resolve over time

with patients taking mild pain-relieving drugs and using heat, cold or other palliative measures.

At present, there are more than 50 treatments in use ranging from very conservative, reversible therapies to more aggressive, invasive approaches.

None of the surgical treatments for severe cases have been proven effective in long-term controlled clinical trials.

Our Clinic ExpertiseNon invasive manual techniquesLong lasting resultsNeuromuscular educationSelf care

Region of complexity

The cranium, shoulder girdle and neck are directly connected.

When there is an imbalance in one it creates an imbalance in the others because of structural compensation via the fascial planes

Fascia Specifics Fascia (Latin fascia: a band) is a layer of

fibrous tissue[1] that permeates the human body.

It interpenetrates and surrounds muscles, bones, organs, nerves, blood vessels and other structures. Fascia is an uninterrupted, three-dimensional web of tissue that extends from head to toe, from front to back, from interior to exterior. (Taken from Wikipedia)

Layers Lets take a look at

the layering and complexity of the fascial planes and musculature for the head, neck and shoulder girdle

Repatterning and neuromuscular education Chewing Clenching/grinding Posture and “finding neutral” while

Sitting StandingSleeping

Exercises for the jaw head and neck

Chewing The repetitive motion of chewing on the same side

either because of dental problems or habit creates a tone and development imbalance between right and left musculature and fascial planes.

Learning how to balance this motion can bring relief of TMJD symptoms

Clenching and Grinding

As with many other holding and guarding patterns most people do not realize they are clenching or grinding. This repetitive action is often associated and increased in relation to stress

As we teach patients how to become more aware of these patterns they can change their functional behavior

Bruxism

What is Posture? There is an ideal

position and alignment for the body to be in to best deal with the effects of gravity and stress.

The greater we stray from this position the greater the stress on the structure.

It’s all about “finding neutral” and breaking the cycle

By teaching clients how to properly bring their structure to a soft neutral position they are able to decrease the damaging effects of chronic holding patterns.

A special “outside to inside” approach

Free the arms and the shoulder girdle Free the shoulder girdle from the neck Free the neck from the head Balance the mandible to the cranium