TMJ AND CHIROPRACTIC 


When most people hear the acronym TMJ, they think of their dentist. But a chiropractor can also give patients the help they need. TMJ stands for the Temporal-Mandibular Joint, which is where your jaw (mandible) contacts/connects with your skull (temporal bone).

The most common symptoms associated with TMJ dysfunction are pain with chewing, clicking or popping of the jaw. But many other symptoms can be caused from TMJ dysfunction including: headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritability, a loss in focus, ringing in ears, head and neck tension, sinus congestion and ear infections.

Causes of TMJ dysfunction include blunt trauma to head/neck, fall/ hit onto chin (commonly seen in children), slip/fall on tailbone causing compensatory effects up the spine and into the cranial bones, whiplash/car accidents, and prolonged desk work/forward head posture.

Understanding the relationship between proper function of the upper cervical spine and cranial bones and TMJ is critical. Chiropractors are trained in identifying and correcting these areas of dysfunction. Specific chiropractic adjustments to correct misalignment of the spine and TMJ are essential to restoring structural balance and providing symptomatic relief. If left uncorrected, dysfunction can lead to grinding of teeth, facial asymmetry, additional stress upon the spinal column, and an increase in current symptoms. 

Treatment for TMJ chiropractically and very simple and painless. Dr. Tomar will be happy to address this problem and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. You can contact by phone or send him a message. He is here to help.

Chiropractic Advice for Moms-to-Be

As many new mothers can attest, the muscle strains of pregnancy are very real and can be more than just a nuisance. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, combined with the increased stress placed on the body by the baby, may result in severe discomfort. Studies have found that about half of all expectant mothers will develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies.^1-3 This is especially true during late pregnancy, when the baby's head presses down on a woman's back, legs, and buttocks, irritating her sciatic nerve. And for those who already suffer from low-back pain, the problem can become even worse.

During pregnancy, a woman's center of gravity almost immediately begins to shift forward to the front of her pelvis. Although a woman's sacrum-or posterior section of the pelvis-has enough depth to enable her to carry a baby, the displaced weight still increases the stress on her joints. As the baby grows in size, the woman's weight is projected even farther forward, and the curvature of her lower back is increased, placing extra stress on the spinal disks. In compensation, the normal curvature of the upper spine increases, as well.

While these changes sound dramatic, pregnancy hormones help loosen the ligaments attached to the pelvic bones. But even these natural changes designed to accommodate the growing baby can result in postural imbalances, making pregnant women prone to having awkward trips and falls.

What can Chiropractic do for me?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide benefits for women who are pregnant. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

• Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
• Controlling symptoms of nausea
• Reducing the time of labor and delivery
• Relieving back, neck or joint pain
• Prevent a potential cesarean delivery

At my office, you be treated to relieve any symptoms you may have. This may take approximately 1 week. Once your symptoms have disappeared, Your OB/GYN will be consulted for you to receive beneficial stretches and exercises for pregnant patients. Continued, consistent chiropractic care will produce the benefits stated above and your frequency will match your OB/GYN appointment schedule. Our practice has 91% success rate in elimiating pregnacy related back/leg pain. So excellent results are expected in your treatment.

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

 

Carpal tunnel Syndrome, or wrist pain, has become an ever increasing complaint due to more people being involved with a computer keyboard. Nowadays, you cannot get away from using a computer whether it be for work or personal use. The incidence of some degree of carpal tunnel syndrome is becoming more prevalent.

 So what is carpal tunnel syndrome and what are the true symptoms?

Your wrist is composed of 8 little bones in roughly 2 rows of 4 bones each. These bones act like a set of ball bearings that allows your wrist to move in almost any direction. Like a set of bearings, it is lubricated with its own 'grease' to make sure things move easily. Due to an injury or overuse, the muscles in your hand and wrist start to inflame and put increasing pressure on the bones in your wrist.

This increased pressure eventually causes the bones to become stuck and your 'grease' to become sticky. This causes the wrist becomes painful. If this continues for some time, the pain can begin to radiate up into the forearm and down into the hand. Further neglect may cause numbness in the area and lead to arthritis.

Sometimes, these symptoms are not due to problems in the wrist. A slipped disc/pinched nerve in the neck can refer the pain into the wrist. It is possible that some of the unsuccessful surgeries to the wrist did not fully address this possible cause of the pain.

Now that was a very simple explanation of carpal tunnel syndrome, but it gives you a better idea of how this all arises.

So, you may be thinking, "You painted a pretty good picture of my pain, so now what?" Well, let's discuss the options:

• Medication - doesn't correct the cause of the pain. The wrist bones are still stuck, so the pain returns after medication is stopped.
• Bracing - in some minor cases of carpal tunnel, bracing or wearing of a brace will help with the symptoms provided the bones are not stuck and the cervical spine is not involved in your pain.
• Surgery - this involves cutting a important tissue in your wrist (if it wasn't important, it would not be there) in half to give your tendons more room to move. But what about the stuck bones in your wrist? What if it's the neck? Sometimes surgery is needed, most of the time it is not.
• Conservative/Chiropractic treatment - will check that your cervical spine is not involved in your symptoms, realign the stuck little bones in your wrist and allow the bones to start moving freely again. The 'grease' in your wrist starts to get less sticky and your little bones start moving even easier with less pain. Add some conservative treatment to the inflamed muscles and your back to yourself again. No cutting and no bracing.

If you are to the point where you are having pain in your wrist and not stiffness, medication and bracing are not going to help. Unless you quit what is causing your pain (your work or computer) you should try some conservative treatment before looking into surgery. It is quick, simple and you will be very happy with the results. 

Call or email me, I will be happy to discuss your particular symptoms with you.

Dr. Tomar