Home Remedies for TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome)
TMJ is a chronic condition that causes misalignment of the jaw and irritation and inflammation of the muscles and tendons around the joint. Home remedies for TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome, aim at alleviating the discomfort and reducing the pain. In mild cases of TMJ, proper jaw exercises and sleeping habits may bring the condition under control. In severe cases, a trip to the dentist, orthodontist or a maxillofacial specialist may be warranted.
Pain Relieving Home Remedies for TMJ
If you have chronic pain along the jaw line due to TMJ, it can be helpful to gently massage the area in a circular motion. The area affected is where the lower jaw meets the skull just in front of the ears. If you place your hands there and slowly open and close your mouth, you will feel the temporomandibular joint, where the pain is caused by constant irritation when you chew, talk or any activity that works this joint.
Relaxing the muscles and tendons, which tense and go into spasms, will reduce the pain significantly. Some people feel that warm compresses help to relax the muscles and relieve the pain. These also help improve the range of movement in the jaw. Others will find that a better home remedy for TMJ is the application of ice or cold packs, since these bring down the inflammation around the joint. Try both and see which works best for you.
Ground flax seed sprinkled on your food daily can also help relieve the pain of TMJ, as it reduces inflammation and will lubricate the joint for ease of movement. If you need to, take an aspirin or two along with a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea. The teas have anti-inflammatory and sedative effects, both of which relieve the tightness in the jaw line. About twenty minutes after taking the aspirin and tea, place hot washcloths along your jaw line and gently massage the area to complete the loosening of the joint.
Preventative Home Remedies for TMJ
If you see your dentist or a TMJ specialist, he or she may recommend a series of simple, corrective exercises for you to do each day. These can keep you from tightening the muscles and pulling the jaw into a misalignment.
One of the most common symptoms of TMJ is an aching, clicking jaw and grinding or clenching your teeth. If this sounds like you, try a few simple tricks to keep yourself from grinding your teeth unconsciously. When you are working or studying, place a small cork between your teeth. This will prevent your jaw from tightening up because you can’t close it all the way and will stop you from grinding your teeth.
Meditation and relaxation therapy are also very helpful in controlling TMJ symptoms. If you are relaxed and able to cope with stress well, you are less likely to grind or gnash your teeth.
If you have TMJ, consider ways to keep it under control so that you won’t need home remedies for TMJ pain as often. Avoid chewing gum or eating chewy, sticky foods that over-work the jaw muscles, as this will cause inflammation. Try not to cradle the phone between your head and shoulder because this pulls the jaw line out of alignment. If you take precautions to minimize TMJ, home remedies should be enough to alleviate occasional pain in the area.