TMJ Pain Relief with Craniosacral Therapy in NYC

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is a fairly common condition that is often misunderstood. Although the pain or clicking is felt in the jaw joint, the problem frequently originates from an adjacent area in the body. Dr. Kaminsky specializes in treating TMJ sufferers in New York through gentle, safe Craniosacral Therapy. By releasing restrictions in the head, neck, spine, and body, many patients have experienced meaningful relief from TMJ symptoms, including reduction of clicking and pain.

Tight muscles can distort the joint

Muscle tightness in the head, neck, and spine can alter the structure of the temporomandibular joint, directly and indirectly, because the muscular attachments into the head, neck, and jaw can pull the joint out of its balanced position. When certain head and neck muscles — such as the sternocleidomastoid, masseter, temporalis, scalenes, platysma, suboccipitals, and trapezius — are tight, in spasm, or splinting, they can distort the joint and cause pain and clicking. Because all muscles attach to bone via their tendons, a muscle in spasm can displace the bones of the head and the upper cervical vertebrae (most commonly C1 and C2), contributing to jaw pain and clicking.

Head and neck alignment matters

Cranial misalignment — a displacement of one or more cranial bones — can directly affect the structure, and therefore the function, of the TMJ. The head and face are made up of many individual bones that meet at the sutures. Key bones potentially involved in TMJ include the frontal, occipital, parietal, temporal, and sphenoid bones, along with C1 and C2. These bones can become displaced and out of sync as a result of past accidents, trauma, falls, whiplash, or stored, unresolved tension.

Improving TMJ function

A positive outcome is supported by consistent, correct, hands-on application of Craniosacral Therapy. For most people, TMJ pain and clicking is not a problem originating in the joint itself — the joint is the effect, a symptom created by imbalances in the body's musculoskeletal system. As Dr. Kaminsky describes it, think of a puppet with multiple strings: if a string bunches up midway or at the bottom, the top is affected. In roughly eight out of ten sufferers, TMJ is driven by muscle imbalance somewhere other than the jaw.

Common symptoms of TMJ

• Pain, ache, or clicking of the jaw
• Tension, migraine, or stress headaches
• Difficulty chewing or locking of the joint
• Tenderness and reduced jaw motion
• Night-time teeth grinding or jaw clenching
• Ear pain

Collaboration with a TMJ dentist

Dr. Kaminsky enjoys working with dentists. When a dentist fits an appliance designed to change the relationship between the upper and lower jaw, the synergy with Craniosacral Therapy can be valuable. A properly fitted appliance can positively affect the alignment of the jaw and the upper spine (C1, C2), which in turn can help reduce muscle tightness in the head and neck. A collaboration between a TMJ dental specialist and an experienced craniosacral therapist can offer real benefit to people living with TMJ.