How can our TMJ Disorder and Migraine Program Help You?

Our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program is a comprehensive treatment plan for patients experiencing issues related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

This is overseen and managed by Clinic Director Dr. Igor Sapozhnikov, D.C. The aim is to provide relief from various symptoms, prevent further issues, and restore proper alignment in the affected areas.

But what causes temporomandibular joint problems? How does the program help? And what does it involve?

What is the temporomandibular joint?

The temporomandibular joints connect the lower jaw (the mandible) to the skull, with one on either side of the jaw. They’re responsible for allowing the mouth to open, close, and move from side to side. You need your temporomandibular joints to function properly for everything from eating to speaking.

However, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) may lead to a number of problems in the jaw, head, and surrounding areas.

Disorders are usually either related to the joints themselves or the muscles working them. They can be caused by:

• Joint dysfunction
• Misaligned bite
• Overuse of jaw muscles (e.g. excessive gum chewing, obsessive nail biting)
• Clenching the jaw for long periods
• Dental work
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Bad posture

What problems can TMJ disorders cause?

Temporomandibular joint disorders may lead to various issues that affect your quality of life. Some can cause minor pain and frustrations, while others could be severely disruptive.

Potential problems include:

• Headaches
• Migraine
• Earaches
• Toothaches
• Trouble eating
• Ear pain
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Hearing loss
• Unusual sounds accompanying jaw movements (clicking, grating, or popping)
• Straining of facial muscles
• Neck pain
• Jaw locking when mouth is open wide

Migraines caused by TMJ disorders can be particularly painful and difficult to manage. They may affect your work or personal life, and prevent you taking part in certain activities (e.g. sports) when they strike. More than 1 billion people across the globe live with migraines.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, Bloor Yonge Chiropractic’s TMJ Disorder and Migraine program may help you find relief.

What does our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program involve?

Our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program is a customized treatment plan devised for patients experiencing jaw pain and/or migraines. As both conditions are often connected, we address both together to achieve the most powerful results.

Dr. Igor Sapozhnikov is a specialist in the treatment of TMD and related problems, including migraines, and uses a range of methods to ease symptoms. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient, so the techniques employed can vary from case to case.

TMD services include:

Physiotherapy

The aim of Physiotherapy in our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program is to restore proper jaw function and joint mobility. This involves non-invasive therapy that encourages targeted muscles to relax and reduces muscular hyperactivity.

Chiropractic treatment

Chiropractic care is becoming increasingly popular as more people discover its benefits. It can be used to treat diverse conditions and musculoskeletal issues, including TMD.

This technique can relieve pain and enhance function in the affected area by restoring joint mobility. It also increases the range of motion in the jaw joint, to aid with eating, speaking, etc.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy can ease discomfort and improve movement in the jaw joint. Patients may be required to perform gentle stretching of the jaw, neck, and back as part of this process.

Massage therapy

Massage is a common technique for alleviating pain and reducing tension in different areas of the body, so it’s a crucial element of our TMJ Disorders and Migraine program.

The jaw and other affected parts will be massaged gently. This can also help you feel less stressed, which can be an obvious effect of TMD.

Acupuncture

During this ancient pain-relief technique, fine needles will be inserted into specific pressure points across the body.

This can help ease headaches/migraines, while reducing inflammation and myofascial hypertonicity (rigidity of the facial muscles).

Exercise planning

Exercise plays an important role in helping patients improve their mobility and overcome pain.

Patients will be advised to perform certain recovery exercises to restore proper activation-relaxation patterns, joint stability, and strengthening.

Postural correction

Poor posture may contribute to TMD, so this technique focuses on cultivating a better, stronger posture to relieve pain.

Postural correction primarily focuses on improving alignment of the jaw, as well as the head, neck, and shoulders.

What process does the TMJ Disorder and Migraine program follow?

Our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program follows a rigid structure:

Initial assessment

The first stage in treating TMJ disorders and migraines. You will meet with Dr. Sapozhnikov for an in-depth assessment of your condition and symptoms.

He will identify the cause of your dysfunction through several steps, including an interview. After this, Dr. Sapozhnikov will conduct orthopedic, postural, and neurological examinations of the jaw, neck, and shoulders.

Your general and psychological health will be screened too. The initial assessment may involve additional tests, if required.

Program plan

Dr. Sapozhnikov will recommend a bespoke program plan based on your assessment results.

This will include a combination of treatment techniques, such as exercise planning, acupuncture, chiropractic care, or anything else necessary to achieve real results. Your treatment will help restore full jaw function and ease the tension responsible for migraines.

Implementation

The Bloor Yonge Chiropractic team will work together to put Dr. Sapozhnikov’s program plan into action. Our healthcare professionals specialize in a range of disciplines: we have osteopaths, chiropractors, and registered massage therapists ready to help you.

Maintenance

Maintenance is a key part of our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program. We’ll offer guidance on how you can maintain your results and keep achieving improvements in your health.

The Bloor Yonge Chiropractic team is here to help you every step of the way. We’ll provide dedicated counselling and regular check-ups to monitor your progress.

How to book your initial assessment for our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program

If you want to learn more about our TMJ Disorder and Migraine program, or to schedule your initial assessment, you can book an appointment online now.