Solutions for TMJD – Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction - Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC, Chiropractor We all want to smile, talk, eat and laugh every day without issues. But if you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), those facial movements may cause you a lot of pain. Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are where your lower jawbone and skull meet. When you have TMJDs, including dislocation, arthritis, infection of injury in your TMJ, you may suffer painful clicking and locking in your jaws, neck pain, headaches, and ringing in your ears. Although most symptoms of TMJD resolve in a few weeks, some persist and can be aggravated by certain actions like chewing, swallowing, and clenching, which causes a strain your jaw and neck muscles. In this article, however, we shall be showing you solutions or remedies for TMJD and how you can manage this condition from the comfort of your home. What are the best solutions for TMJD? Here are some non-surgical approaches to help relieve pain in your TMJ: Exercise your jaw When you exercise your jaw daily, it helps increase mobility in your joints. You can try stretch exercises, relaxation exercises, and strengthening exercises to relieve TMJD Correct your posture Your posture can affect your TMJs. When you sit in an unideal position for a long time, it causes more pain in your jaw. So a simple solution to help relieve TMJD is to correct your posture. When working, always choose a chair that has back support. Besides, take regular breaks to stretch out. While driving, keep your sit upright, and while doing leisure activities, such as reading or watching TV, try to sit upright and use a pillow behind your back for support. You can also try this simple exercise to correct your standing or sitting position – Push your chest out and pull your shoulders back. Now, gently squeeze your shoulder blades to help straighten your back muscles. Reduce stress and get a good night’s sleep Stress stiffens up your jaw and worsens TMJD. You can try meditation or yoga practices to put less stress on your on your muscles. You can also work on your garden to calm your mind and relax your facial muscles. Generally, sleep is an important factor for good health. To minimize TMJD, it is advisable to sleep on your back with pillows to support your neck. Do not sleep on your stomach, and if you sleep on your side, ensure your hands are not on your jaw. Avoid foods and activities Some foods force you to open your mouth or move your jaw in an extreme way. Avoid these foods, including: Foods that requires chewing for a long time Crunchy or hard foods Chewing gum Taking large bites of food Also, try to minimize activities like yelling or yawning. Also quit bad habits such as nail biting, clenching your teeth, chewing lips and cheeks, grinding your teeth and more. You can take note of your daily pattern and jot them down. Keep in mind how often you do them and discuss with your doctor. This way, you’ll easily find solutions to your TMJD. You can discuss with Dr. Jason Jones at our chiropractic office at Elizabeth City, NC, to learn about more natural and non-surgical methods to enjoy relief from TMJD.