Biofeedback Therapy for TMJ
The Non-Invasive Approach for Treating TMJTMJ Disorder (or TMD) is a common issue that refers to pain or dysfunction in the joint and surrounding muscles of the jaw. A study in the UAE found as many as 11% of participants had TMD. While at first this may seem like a minor issue, TMD can progress and lead to greater problems and have an impact on quality of life. And when the first line of conventional treatment does not work, the next line of conventional treatments can be quite invasive. As such, exploring alternative treatment options that can alleviate TMJ Disorder is important.
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What is TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint in front of each ear that connects your jawbone to your skull. It's like a pair of intricate hinges that allow you to open and close your mouth. These joints enable fundamental actions such as speaking, yawning, and chewing. Often, when people use the word TMJ as a problem, such as “I have TMJ”, they are referring to TMJ Disorder or medically, Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). TMD refers to a group of conditions that affect the jaw joint, muscles of mastication and related structures. Individuals with TMD can encounter varying levels of discomfort, from mild soreness to intense pain in the jaw, face, and areas around the ears. However, if TMD is left untreated, it can lead to progressive damage and issues, which can have further psychosocial health impacts. As such, it is important to treat TMD once you become aware of it.
Common symptoms of TMJ include:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Headaches, earaches, or facial pain
- Jaw locking or deviation
TMD or TMJ Disorder is usually diagnosed by a dentist but it can also be diagnosed by an ENT, a neurologist, a rheumatologist, or a physiotherapist. The first line conventional treatment options are fairly non-invasive. These can include self care and lifestyle changes to reduce stress, medications such as muscle relaxants (for short-term use), anti-depressants and pain relief and oral appliances such as mouthguards or nightguards. Often when the above fail to relieve the issue, medical doctors will proceed to more invasive treatment options, including injections (such as corticosteroid injections or Botox injections) and surgery (which is a rare last resort).
Many people are searching for guidance on what is the best treatment for TMJ Disorder. Given that TMJ syndrome or TMD is often a chronic issue that can take time to resolve, it is important to explore alternative treatment options before proceeding to last resort. Biofeedback therapy for TMJ provides a safe, non-invasive treatment option for treating TMD.
Why is TMJ a problem?
TMJ, or TMD, when left untreated, can create more complications and difficulties. The earlier treatment is done the better the outcome. Common issues related to untreated TMD include:
Find UsChronic Pain
TMD commonly causes persistent jaw, face and neck pain. This can sometimes trigger headaches and at times can even be misdiagnosed as migraines or ear infections. Chronic pain reduces sleep quality, increases stress, and contributes to depression and anxiety.
Jaw Dysfunction
TMD can limit your ability to open or close your mouth fully, chew, yawn or speak without discomfort or locking. Some people experience jaw locking, clicking or popping, which can be very distressing and physically limiting.
Progressive Damage
Untreated TMD can progress to joint degeneration (wear and tear on the disc and bone), worsening bite alignment and dental issues, and increased bruxism (teeth grinding).
Psychosocial Impact
Ongoing TMD symptoms can create anxiety about eating in public, fear of jaw locking, anxiety about worsening symptoms, and impact speech, confidence and daily functioning.
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How Biofeedback Therapy Helps TMJ Symptoms
Biofeedback therapy is a treatment that relies on bi-directional electric signals to stimulate the physiology to come back to greater health. The software collects data from the body (just like a smartwatch can collect data from your wrist about different things such as your sleep, your steps, etc.), assesses the data collected, and then sends back a corrective signal to stimulate the restoration of healthier functioning. Biofeedback therapy for TMJ will send signals to reduce the muscle tension and reduce stress in the physiology (which often triggers symptoms of TMD).
Symptoms and Causes of TMJ
Effective management of TMJ dysfunction starts with recognizing its different symptoms and potential causes.
Typical Signs of TMJ Disorder:
- Persistent jaw tenderness or pain.
- Pain that radiates to the shoulders, neck, ears, or face.
- Stiffness or the feeling that the jaw is "catching" or "locking."
- Abnormal sounds made during jaw movement, including popping, clicking, or grinding.
- Frequent headaches or episodes that mimic migraines.
- A feeling of fatigue or spasms in the jaw muscles.
- Difficulties or discomfort during chewing.
- Sensory issues like ear pain or ringing in the ears.
- Shifts in the alignment of the upper and lower teeth could also serve as a subtle sign.
Potential Causes and Contributing Factors to TMJ Pain:
TMD rarely has one specific cause; rather, it often results from the complex interaction of multiple factors, often physical and psychological. Following are some of the most common and potential causes of TMD:
- Bruxism (Clenching & Grinding): The TMJ and surrounding muscles experience significant stress from continuous grinding or clenching of teeth, whether it's intentional during waking hours or unintentional during sleep.
- Jaw Misalignment or Bite Problems can lead to uneven pressure and strain on the TMJ.
- Joint Disorders & Degeneration: Conditions such Arthritis, Disc Displacement, and Joint Hypermobility can lead to TMD.
- Physical Traumatic Events: TMD may be brought on by direct trauma to the head, face, or jaw.
- Postural Imbalances: Slouching or leaning your head forward can put extra stress on the neck, shoulders, and jaw muscles.
- Stress and Psychological Factors: stress, anxiety, and emotional tension can cause clenching or tension in the jaw, neck and shoulders.
How Do We Treat TMJ Dysfunction?
At BMY, we strive to provide the best treatment for TMJ disorder that are natural and alternative approaches. The reason we take this holistic approach is that we recognize the connection between the stress physiology and the development of TMJ disorder. As such, we aim to provide holistic treatment options that help the body release this stress tension pattern and return to greater health and wellness. Given the progression that can happen with untreated TMD as well as the more invasive options that might conventionally be presented, we want to empower our clients to explore other important options that could bring significant relief to TMD. This comes in the form of holistic physiotherapy to support the release of TMJ syndrome, holistic psychotherapy to increase emotional resilience and release and stress and trauma related factors, and biofeedback therapy to stimulate the body-mind’s natural ability to release and regulate.
If you struggle with TMD, contact us for a consultation. Early intervention can help improve treatment outcomes and give you important relief