TMJ Disorders and Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an effective integrative intervention in addition to physical therapy and chiropractic. Acupuncture has many benefits that can make other treatments more effective. Often, TMJ patients have high stress, which manifests as pain and tension in the jaw. They may have a tendency to clench their jaws under stress or during the night. If this is the case, wearing a custom night guard is especially beneficial.
Acupuncture can relax the nervous system and alleviate tension, anxiety and stress. When a person relaxes, the muscles relax. This enhances the healing response because blood vessels dilate during periods of relaxation leading to enhanced blood flow.
Acupuncture helps modulate pain. When acupuncture is performed, there is a release of natural pain killers mainly the beta endorphins. Increased beta endorphins circulating in the system lead to lower pain levels. When pain levels decrease, the pain cycle breaks leading to less contraction and spasms.
Acupuncture treats the entire system in addition to pain. Usually in addition to jaw pain, there is neck pain with limited range of motion. Acupuncture can release these associated muscles to further help recovery.
With acupuncture treatments we determine which channels are affected leading to various signs and symptoms. There are three main systems which feed the jaw.
Step 1: Determine associated signs and symptoms
- A. Digestive system (large intestine and stomach): digestive issues Constipation, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, sinus issues, teeth pain/sensitivity
- B. Gallbladder and liver: irritability, anger, headaches, red eyes, menstrual pain, breast tenderness in women
- C. Small intestine and urinary bladder: neck pain and upper back pain. Pain with lateral flexion and extension
Step 2: palpate the channels
A. Digestive
LI 4 – LI 6 nodules
LI 11 (tightness restriction from LI 10 – LI 11 (extensor Capri radialis), St 36-St41 nodules
ST 44 – St 43 (located in the webbing between the 2nd and third toe this area will be tender or nodule)
B. Liver Gallbladder
Liver 2 (nodules from Liver 2 -Liver 3), nodule at liver 5, Gb41 nodule or nodules at gb 34 or SJ3 – TH 5/6
C. Small Intestine Urinary Bladder
Nodules along lateral hand and lateral foot
Step 3: Treat the appropriate point regions
A. Digestive: LI4-St36
B. Liver and Gallbladder: sj 5 gb 34 or Sj 5 Gb 41
C. Urinary Bladder Small Intestine: si 3 ub 65, or Si 4 ub 64
