SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Scottsdale chiropractor is alerting area residents to the fact that spinal adjustments and other chiropractic techniques can help cases of temporomandibular joint disorder, more commonly known as TMJ. According to Dr. Daniel P. Secrest of Secrest Family Chiropractic, this common yet painful jaw condition is generally referred to a dental practitioner when in fact some cases respond more fully to chiropractic adjustment. "Many TMJ cases stem from poor posture, a traumatic injury or some other situation unrelated to bite alignment, and we can provide significant correction and pain management for these patients," says Dr. Secrest.
The temporomandibular joint, which attaches the rear of each side of the jawbone to the skull, allows the jaw to move freely for such essential tasks as speaking and chewing. Dr. Secrest warns that problems concerning this joint may cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from pain when opening or closing the mouth to a migraine headache, adding that severe cases can even produce nausea, vomiting, digestive issues and throat pain.
A common condition among individuals who clench or grind their teeth, TMJ may lead to or result from a malocclusion, which the chiropractor defines as a misaligned bite, and this leads most sufferers to consult their dentist when the problem first strikes. "Sometimes tooth restoration, oral surgery or other dental techniques can resolve the condition, but other factors completely unrelated to the teeth or bite can also cause TMJ," says Dr. Secrest.
The Scottsdale chiropractor cites poor posture as one such case, stating that people often slump or slouch in their chairs or couches for hours at a time without realizing it. This habit can strain the muscles and connective tissues of the cervical spine in the neck while also promoting vertebral misalignments that can pinch nerves. An auto accident or other trauma can cause similar damage and tension in the cervical region, and this damage can manifest itself as jaw pain, migraine headache symptoms, neck stiffness and other debilitating issues, according to the Scottsdale chiropractor.
In cases where malocclusion is not the primary cause of TMJ symptoms, Dr. Secrest uses several non-surgical treatment options to relieve the patient's pain. "We have found that precisely-administered trigger point therapy and massage to the jaw and neck areas can provide effective relief and pain management in just four to six sessions," states the practitioner.
Dr. Secrest also uses Koren Specific Technique, a highly precise form of adjustment using a special FDA-approved manipulation device, to correct tiny misalignments in the cranial or facial bones as well as the temporomandibular joints themselves. "These methods frequently relieve jaw pain, migraine headache pain and other TMJ issues that dental correction cannot," he says.
In addition to TMJ treatment, Secrest Family Chiropractic provides spinal adjustment, massage, corrective exercise, lifestyle advice, pain management and other services to patients recovering from accidents, sports injuries or chronic illnesses.