Acupuncture for TMJ

About 30% of the population suffers from TMJ  a disease that causes pain in the jaw and clicking and grinding noise when chewing.  Symptoms often include headaches, inability to open your mouth, neck pain, tension, and ringing in the ears.  It is caused by vigorous chewing, clenching the jaw, injuries, infections, and emotional stress.

If left untreated, TMJ can last hours or days.  These joints in the jaw called temporomandibular consist to two different joints. They are used to sing, talk, laugh, cough, and help you use your jaws daily.

Causes and Treatments of TMJ

The pain is caused by cartilage in the joints wearing down. It is often hard to pinpoint where the problem lies.   Acupuncture is the art of inserting fine needles into specific parts of the face, neck, and body. It is believed to balance the energy in the body. The energy is connected at different points in the body and how it flows. Inserting the needles helps with the blocked energy and the flow needed to control the pain.

It is a painless procedure that is used to treat other conditions in the body with pain.  Acupuncture is used to relieve stress in many patients that is why it is believed to help with symptoms of TMJ. Anxiety and stress are believed to contribute to TMJ. It treats the points in the jaw and body using needles and reduces tension.

Needles used to treat TMJ with acupuncture are thinner than most needles. Needles are inserted into areas near the ear and jaw. Patients complain of pain in their jaws and ears. Other areas needles are inserted near are the elbow, knees, and big toe. Treating these areas of the body has been found to reduce inflammation.

Most patients need 30-minute treatments for four to six weeks to effectively treat TMJ. It is often combined with other therapies. It helps keep QI energy balance and with working muscles in your face and jaw. Many patients treated with acupuncture reported less pain and a reduction in symptoms. 

Contact Seitai For An Appointment for Acupuncture Treatment for TMJ

Contact us to learn more about acupuncture treatment of TMJ by making an appointment. The doctor in Staten Island or Brooklyn will give you an exam before treatment. They may suggest an exercise routine,  and diet along with the acupuncture treatment. Call 917-475-1840.