The TM joint is the hinge at each side of our face that connects the jaw or mandible, to the temporal bone of the skull. TMJ disorder is the Jaw disorder associated with Symptoms of the Head, Spine, Shoulder, Elbow/Wrist, and Digestion. We can see issues coming directly from the TMJ in jaw and facial pain, earaches, toothaches, headaches, hearing loss, even loss of equilibrium can be caused by jaw misalignment. 40% of the cranial nerves emerge around the TMJ joint. TMJ problems can also result in spinal misalignment, not only at the top of the spine near the joint, but even at the other end of the spine in the pelvis.
We can self-assess for any problems in the joint by placing a fingertip in each ear and pressing forward, while opening and closing the mouth a few times. A normal TMJ joint will have no unusual sensation. If there is an imbalance the tip of the jawbone will press against your fingertip. It will be more noticeable on the side of the jaw more out of balance and there may be pain associated with the movement.
The TMJ is part of the cranial bones and in healthy states they move in rhythm with the shoulder blades and the pelvis. When there is imbalance, this relationship is interrupted; interruptions can affect the shoulder, and elbow/wrist as well as the carpal tunnel in the wrist. When the TM joint is dysfunctional, the mouth is affected; the Ph, or relative acidity of the saliva is changed. When the Ph of the saliva is changed the normal digestive circuit is broken, resulting in impairment of the intestinal flora.
For these and other reasons the TM joint is considered by some to be “the most important joint in the body.” It is an intersection for circulation of blood to and from the brain. Oral stress causes the neck to tighten and restrict circulation, resulting in headaches and facial pain.
So we can see that from one source many different and seemingly unrelated symptoms can arise. The TMJ is like a might river with tributaries snaking through all the systems and structures of the body. When healthy and in balance it contributes to overall body health in a myriad of ways. When unhealthy, it contributes to our ill-health in just as many ways.
In all of these cases we are talking about cumulative trauma, the gradual build-up of insult and injury to physiological processes and structures that results in these dramatic symptoms. Stress can be a starting point, causing grinding of the teeth, especially at night, creating over-tense jaw muscles. Usually there is no single dramatic incident to point to as the sole cause of a TMJ problem, though a motor vehicle accident can be a powerful contributor.
When there is no single incident to connect with and the procession of severity of symptoms can be gradual, we are often surprised when we have finally developed an acute pain in our body. We can be just as confused as to what to do about it. Are we having a dental problem? Are we having a musculo-skeletal problem? Are we having an organ system problem? Which healthcare practitioner do we go to? How do they know how to treat us?
When a healthcare practitioner lacks the perspective on these issues we have been discussing, they may focus in on one set of symptoms rather than looking for a central cause. So many treatments may be offered for one problem, compounding the difficulty in the recovery process. Invasive methods may be suggested when medications fail to address the issue. All because the tree is not seen because of the forest, or rather the river is not seen because we are distracted by one of its streams.
What is a safe and easy way to address TMJ dysfunction? Bowenwork has a simple protocol that can be used in the first session to address the root cause of all these various symptoms. There is no invasive aspect, the work is all done outside the mouth and is pain-free. Bowenwork is simple, effective work to restore a healthy balance to the TMJ and to the entire body.
I welcome your comments.
Thank you,
Kevin Minney
www.kevinminney.com
We can self-assess for any problems in the joint by placing a fingertip in each ear and pressing forward, while opening and closing the mouth a few times. A normal TMJ joint will have no unusual sensation. If there is an imbalance the tip of the jawbone will press against your fingertip. It will be more noticeable on the side of the jaw more out of balance and there may be pain associated with the movement.
The TMJ is part of the cranial bones and in healthy states they move in rhythm with the shoulder blades and the pelvis. When there is imbalance, this relationship is interrupted; interruptions can affect the shoulder, and elbow/wrist as well as the carpal tunnel in the wrist. When the TM joint is dysfunctional, the mouth is affected; the Ph, or relative acidity of the saliva is changed. When the Ph of the saliva is changed the normal digestive circuit is broken, resulting in impairment of the intestinal flora.
For these and other reasons the TM joint is considered by some to be “the most important joint in the body.” It is an intersection for circulation of blood to and from the brain. Oral stress causes the neck to tighten and restrict circulation, resulting in headaches and facial pain.
So we can see that from one source many different and seemingly unrelated symptoms can arise. The TMJ is like a might river with tributaries snaking through all the systems and structures of the body. When healthy and in balance it contributes to overall body health in a myriad of ways. When unhealthy, it contributes to our ill-health in just as many ways.
In all of these cases we are talking about cumulative trauma, the gradual build-up of insult and injury to physiological processes and structures that results in these dramatic symptoms. Stress can be a starting point, causing grinding of the teeth, especially at night, creating over-tense jaw muscles. Usually there is no single dramatic incident to point to as the sole cause of a TMJ problem, though a motor vehicle accident can be a powerful contributor.
When there is no single incident to connect with and the procession of severity of symptoms can be gradual, we are often surprised when we have finally developed an acute pain in our body. We can be just as confused as to what to do about it. Are we having a dental problem? Are we having a musculo-skeletal problem? Are we having an organ system problem? Which healthcare practitioner do we go to? How do they know how to treat us?
When a healthcare practitioner lacks the perspective on these issues we have been discussing, they may focus in on one set of symptoms rather than looking for a central cause. So many treatments may be offered for one problem, compounding the difficulty in the recovery process. Invasive methods may be suggested when medications fail to address the issue. All because the tree is not seen because of the forest, or rather the river is not seen because we are distracted by one of its streams.
What is a safe and easy way to address TMJ dysfunction? Bowenwork has a simple protocol that can be used in the first session to address the root cause of all these various symptoms. There is no invasive aspect, the work is all done outside the mouth and is pain-free. Bowenwork is simple, effective work to restore a healthy balance to the TMJ and to the entire body.
I welcome your comments.
Thank you,
Kevin Minney
www.kevinminney.com
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