Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome or TMJ for short involves a condition associated with the mandible (the joint that connects the jaw to the skull). A person suffering from TMJ may experience a number of symptoms that can include pain radiating to the shoulders and neck, headaches, popping or clicking sound in the jaw joint, locking of the jaw, difficulty in opening the mouth, and myofascial pain.
TMJ may be caused by overstretching the jaw during surgical or dental procedures, bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), repetitive mouth movements (chewing gum), and injury. A connection may exist between some autoimmune diseases and TMJ. Over half of people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis also suffer from TMJ.

The NIH (National Institutes of Health) believes that about 25 million people experience all of or some of these symptoms. Women are more susceptible to TMJ than men although both sexes can develop this condition. Conventional Western treatment includes oral splints, anti-inflammatory medications, and surgical correction, in 5-10% of patients

The NIH formed a panel of pain specialists in 1997, who stated that “acupuncture can be an acceptable alternative or useful adjunct treatment” for TMJ. These days, acupuncture in Orlando is commonly and successfully used in the treatment of TMJ.

The main idea behind acupuncture is that a life force circulates through certain energy pathways called meridians. When a blockage develops along these pathways, disease and pain result. Extremely thin acupuncture needles are inserted into points on the affected meridians to facilitate the smooth flow of energy which leads to pain relief. The human body has twenty meridians, four of which flow straight through the jaw joint.

There are acupuncturists who choose to insert needles locally on the site of the pain (along the jaw or around the ear). The meridian system is a very complex system in which several inter-connecting relationships and pathways exist between the meridians that render the need for local needling totally unnecessary. In the treatment of TMJ, some of the most powerful points are situated near the knees, elbows, and big toe. Within minutes of inserting these distal needles, the patient usually experiences positive results in the jaw – greater range of jaw motion and less pain. If there is grinding of teeth an experience point on the lower leg is added to treat bruxism.

After the removal of the needles, relief will be experienced in various ways between patients. Several treatments will most likely be necessary if the TMJ is chronic. Acupuncturists usually apply small seeds to the surface of the ear over acupoints that are associated with the jaw. In between treatment pressure is applied to the seeds so that the benefits can be extended.

Disease and pain is classified by Chinese medicine in terms of the energy in the body being out of balance. This imbalance can be diagnosed either as a deficiency, excess or both. The practitioner will collect information about the development of the disease, ask the patient as to what factors alleviate or aggravate the symptoms, take the pulse, examine the tongue, and analyze all bodily functions. A pattern of disharmony between the meridians’ associated organs and the meridians themselves within the body becomes apparent.

Besides the sticking of needles to address the jaw symptoms, extra needles may be used to treat the root cause of the condition. Due to this customized approach, an acupuncturist may see 10 TMJ patients and treat them all in different ways, based on their Chinese medical diagnosis. An herbal formula may be recommended in certain instances.