5 Best TMJ Medications for You

TMJ is a condition that affects the joints that connect the jawbones to the skull. It can cause neck pain, jaw ache, and headaches. Many people with TMJ may not experience these symptoms for very long. Symptoms of TMJ may be worse when you clench or grind your teeth. This can also cause your jaw to misalign and may even cause a clicking noise when you open your mouth wide. If not treated well with proper TMJ relief medication, TMD can cause severe pain and discomfort.

Although TMJ symptoms are common, the treatment options are based mainly on the severity of the condition. Visit your nearest TMJ specialist or doctor for various treatments for TMJ, including prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, etc. You should also undergo effective and reliable TMJ clinic from your health care provider to lower the pain.

Read along to know more about the best-suited TMJ pain relief medication for your condition: 

Medicines & Prescribed Drugs

Various medications are available to help with the pain. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available in various strengths, their higher doses may be prescribed by your TMJ specialist in Illinois. Narcotic analgesics, pain killers, and muscle relaxants can also be taken to relieve TMJ pain immediately. These prescribed medications can help relax the muscles around the jaw and reduce pain and swelling. Anti-anxiety drugs can also help ease stress, worsening symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. Remember not to consume alcohol or other such substances while taking prescription drugs as it may lead to nausea, headache, or dizziness. It’s always advisable to consult your health care provider for the best TMJ therapy for your condition.

There are many medications available that claim to treat TMJ disorder symptoms. However, some medicines carry risks that make them unsuitable for TMJ patients. These include the potential for side effects, physical dependence, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Consulting your physician for medications is highly advisable.

Acupuncture treatment for TMJ Disorder

The ancient practice of acupuncture has been used to treat disease and pain for thousands of years. It is also effective for TMJ disorder, which affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Acupuncture under the guidance of a TMJ expert helps relieve stress and promote relaxation. It helps relax the muscles in the face and jaw, which are naturally contracted when you’re stressed. In addition, it regulates hormones associated with the stress response. The benefits of acupuncture treatment along with TMJ pain relief medication are numerous. It relieves pain and swelling, but it helps your body deal with stressful situations more effectively. The therapy can also help reduce inflammation and improve your overall mood.

Acupuncture for TMJ disorder aims to restore normal function of the jaw. Many patients undergo acupuncture treatment to lower their pain and stiffness. The pain that accompanies TMJ disorder is alleviated with acupuncture. It is one of the safest alternative medicine techniques for TMJ and can be used alone or in combination with modern medical treatments.

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ Disorder

If you have been experiencing pain in your jaw or TMJ, you may want chiropractic treatment for TMJ disorder. Chiropractors are trained to provide remedies for jaw pain, including adjusting your spine to correct misalignments in your spine. These adjustments are quick and comfortable and can eliminate many of the symptoms associated with TMJ disorder. While chiropractic treatment will help prevent future problems related to the jaw, it’s essential to consult a well-experienced TMJ doctor to determine if chiropractic treatment is suitable for the severity of your condition or not. A chiropractic doctor can provide you with a treatment plan to relieve your pain in the short term and prevent it from returning.

Chiropractors also perform soft tissue manipulation to help ease the tension around the jaw. The chiropractor will massage trigger points on the neck and face during the treatment. A chiropractor will adjust the jaw to release pressure on these trigger points, which will reduce pain. The chiropractic TMJ therapy in Naperville often includes massage and trigger point therapy to release tension in the muscles surrounding your joints to ensure maximum benefit. 

Relaxation Techniques for TMJ Disorder

There are a few ways you can do to help relax your jaw and reduce the stress you feel from TMJ. First of all, you need to place your tongue on the roof of your mouth. You can also put your pointer finger on your chin and use the other hand to close your jaw. The second thing you should do is place your thumb under your chin and pull your chin towards the wall. This technique will help you feel a slight resistance as you close your mouth, but you should not feel any pain. Deep breathing is one of the effective relaxing techniques for TMJ. It will help you reduce your stress levels and lower your risk of having a TMJ pain flare-up. It is also helpful to have a routine each morning and evening that allows you to get the most benefit from these exercises.

Another way is to find the TMJ joint. Put your thumb or finger near the ears and try to feel the movement of the joint. Then, apply gentle pressure to the cheekbone and side of the face with your thumb. You can increase the stress if it is too difficult to relax the muscles. It will help you relieve the tension in the muscles and get rid of the pain. If you have TMJ pain, it’s highly advisable to visit a TMJ doctor for the best-suited TMJ muscle relaxers and treatments.

Biofeedback Treatment for TMJ Disorder

The biofeedback technique uses digital or analog methods to capture the body’s vital signals. The goal is to stimulate a person’s auto-regulatory response to be aware of their actions that may cause pain. Patients can learn to correct their physiological processes on their own and reduce their medications. By teaching them how to recognize the muscle tension that triggers a headache or TMJ pain, biofeedback therapy can help improve their reactions to stress. Studies have shown that biofeedback helps improve sleep, which allows sufferers to reduce headache frequency and intensity while combining the treatment with pain relief medication. It’s recommended to consult your TMJ specialist in Illinois for a multidimensional approach to treat TMJ-related pain for the best result.

Bruxism is correlated with anxiety and stress, and biofeedback targets this response. Because of this, biofeedback is believed to change a person’s behaviour gradually. Biofeedback Treatment is a powerful and empowering treatment for TMJ sufferers and other chronic pain conditions. Before you go for biofeedback therapy, discuss your condition with your TMJ specialist for the best-suited treatment.

Important Takeaways

There are several non-invasive methods of treating TMJ disorder. Some are simple self-care techniques, while others involve surgeries. Various methods are available for treating TMJ disorders, including surgery and injections. However, a well-versed TMJ specialist in Illinois may recommend conservative nonsurgical treatment and TMJ muscle relaxers first and leave surgery as a last resort. You may also want to try home remedies. Some of these methods may be effective for your condition. If you’ve tried them without success, consult with your health care provider.

AUTHOR BIO

Dominic Robinson has been writing for the healthcare industry for years to become a legacy guest author. His educational background in the medical sciences provides a solid foundation and credibility to approach many health-related issues. Still, he especially enjoys preparing scientifically-backed pieces on modern-day medical problems.