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Bridging Eastern & Western Medicine

Restoring the Balance of Your OUT Complex is a Crucial Aspect of MBR  Therapy

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Major contributor to migraine, neck, and shoulder pain

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder

TMJ moves whenever you speak, chew, or swallow! The jaw joints endure the impact of molar teeth touching each other over 3,000 times a day.

Depending on a person’s posture and chewing habits, the jaw and joints can tilt to one side, leading to facial asymmetry over time due to the difference in chewing strength and torsion between the left and right sides.

The jaw joints contain an abundance of delicate sensory nerves that react to even the slightest changes in movement. Just like how a tiny foreign object between the teeth can cause extreme discomfort and odd sensations, imbalances in the jaw joints can result in significant physical complications. Therefore, balancing the two jaw joints is a critical aspect of pain treatment.

Major contributor to migraine, neck, and shoulder pain

Why Does TMJ Occur?

There may be one or more underlying causes of TMJ disorder, with unhealthy habits and stress being the most common culprits. Chewing food or maintaining poor body posture can create stress in the jaw, which can contribute to the development of TMJ disorder.

Imbalances in the left and right postures, such as those in the neck, pelvis, and foot length, can also cause imbalances in the jaw joints, leading to TMJ disorder.

Stress can increase tension in the body, leading to habits like cheek chewing without even realizing it, which can further exacerbate TMJ disorder symptoms.

Step-by-Step

Major Causes of TMJ Disorder

Do Any of These Apply to You?

 Tendency to chew food on only one side of the mouth

 Frequent and prolonged mouth opening during dental treatments

 Habitual resting of the chin on the hand or sleeping on one side

 Habitual clenching or grinding of teeth

 Misalignment of the upper and lower teeth

 Neglecting or delaying treatment for teeth damage

Do You Have Postural Imbalance?

 Head forward or straight neck

 Uneven shoulders

 Tilted pelvis

 Imbalance in feet

 Difference in leg lengths

 Tense neck and jaws due to stress

 Curved spine

Step-by-Step

Major Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Limited ROM

A limited range of mandibular movement < 3mm, can cause difficulties with eating or speaking. Pain or tenderness in the jaw, particularly at the joint area, is a common symptom of TMJ disorder.

Deviation with Mandibular Movement

There may also be incoordination, asymmetry, or deviation of mandibular movement.

Irregular Jaw Opening

TMJ disorder can occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing, or side-to-side movements.

Clicking or Popping Sounds

Clicking or popping noises may happen when opening the mouth in people with TMj disorder.

Jaw Joint Pain
TMJ disorder can cause various symptoms, such as pain in or around the ear, headaches, neck pain, tenderness of the jaw or jaw muscles, and jaw pain while chewing, biting, or yawning.
Bad Chewing
Habits &
Poor Posture
 
 
TMJ
Disorder
TMJ
Imbalance
 
 
TMJ
Syndrome
Major contributor to migraine, neck, and shoulder pain

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome

Bad Chewing
Habits &
Poor Posture
 
 
TMJ
Disorder
TMJ
Imbalance
 
 
TMJ
Syndrome

Even a minor shock can cause pain in the TMJ if the joints are out of balance, highlighting the sensitivity of the jaw joints to any misalignment or dysfunction.

Imbalances in the jaw joints can lead to imbalances in the face, spine, pelvis, and feet, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the body and how TMJ disorder can affect various areas of the body.

TMJ imbalance can cause a range of neuralgia symptoms due to the cranial nerves, meninges, and arteriovenous veins being stimulated by the disorder. This can include headaches and dizziness, which can be debilitating for some individuals.

Step-by-Step

Major Symptoms of TMJ Syndrome

Headache

TMJ imbalance can cause dislocation of cervical 1 and 2, which in turn can stimulate the meninges, arteriovenous, and cranial nerves, leading to headaches.

Deviated nasal septum & Chronic Rhinitis

TMJ imbalance can cause facial asymmetry, which can result in a narrower nasal cavity and make treating chronic rhinitis more difficult.

Trigeminal neuralgia

The trigeminal nerve, which is the largest cranial nerve, is located near the jaw joints and can be easily pressured by an unbalanced jaw.

Chronic Fatigue / Depression

Jaw joint imbalance can negatively impact cranial movement and disrupt the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which can lead to chronic fatigue. Additionally, an unbalanced cranial nerve signal may cause depression.

Dizziness, Ear Pain, or Tinnitus

Pressure on the temporal bone by an unbalanced jaw can disrupt the part of the brain responsible for regulating balance, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, ear pain, and tinnitus.

Dazzling, Eye fatigue, Inflammation, Unbalanced Eyesight

When the jaw is misaligned, the sphenoid bone, which is connected to the jaw by a strong muscle, can also become distorted, potentially causing symptoms related to the eyes due to the passage of the optic nerve through the sphenoid bone.

Twisted Spine & Pelvis
C2 is a critical axis for the body’s balance and movement, as well as the jaw joints. As a result, when the jaw becomes imbalanced, it can trigger a chain reaction that twists the spine and pelvic joints, causing chronic pain.
Craniofacial Asymmetry

Unbalanced movement in the jaw joint over a prolonged period can lead to craniofacial asymmetry.

Why do you need it

How to Restore the Balance of TMJ

MBR Appliance

MBR appliance restores & maintains the balance of TMJ and cervical spine 1,2 and 12 meridians.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatment can help to restore the normal length and movement of muscles and myofascial tissues related to the TMJ.

Herbal Treatment

MBR herbal treatment is a good option when dealing with severe stress or inflammation, or when the TMJ pain is accompanied by other symptoms.

Application examples

Imbalance Inducing Factors & MBR Solution

C1 & C2 Treatment

Correcting the alignment of the cervical vertebrae, which is the axis of TMJ movement, can effectively treat TMJ disorders and prevent their recurrence.

Spine & Pelvis Balance

Balancing the pelvis is recommended as torsion in the pelvis can lead to imbalances in the shoulders, neck, and jaw.

Left & Right Balance

An imbalance in leg length or foot can cause compensatory imbalances in the jaw, therefore it is important to correct any issues with leg length or foot balance.

FAQ

Is a systemic correction treatment necessary for a jaw joint disorder?
The extent of treatment required for TMJ disorder depends on the accompanying level of imbalance. In cases where the shoulder-pelvis balance is good, treatment for the jaw joints alone may suffice. However, if there is an imbalance in the shoulders and pelvis, treatment for the TMJ, C1, and C2 may be necessary.
When is it recommended to use orthotics for TMJ disorder treatment?
Orthotics are not always necessary for all types of TMJ disorders. However, if there is a foot deformity or asymmetry between the left and right feet, it can lead to pelvic and vertebral imbalances, ultimately causing TMJ imbalance. In such cases, the use of orthotics may be recommended.
Is the use of an MBR appliance necessary for the treatment of TMJ disorders?
For muscle-type TMJ disorders, manual therapy or myofascial treatment may suffice, making the use of Meridian Balance Appliance (MBA) unnecessary. However, MBA is crucial for treating jaw joint disc problems, jaw opening with deviation, jaw joint inflammation, and for managing TMJ syndrome.
How can occlusal problems contribute to the development of TMJ disorder or syndrome?
TMJ disorders and syndromes can be caused by malocclusion. If you have both a TMJ disorder and malocclusion, dental treatment for the malocclusion can be pursued after MBA treatment.
Can I receive TMJ treatment while undergoing orthodontic treatment?
The use of MBR appliance is not restricted during orthodontic treatment or while wearing a retainer.
Can MBR Appliance be used to treat facial asymmetry?
Facial asymmetry can be caused by an imbalance in the jaw joints, which in turn leads to facial bone torsion. If the asymmetry is due to a jaw joint imbalance and movement disorder, it can be treated with a combination of a MBR Appliance and systemic treatments.
How does TMJ syndrome manifest in the absence of visible symptoms or pain?
With jaw joint syndrome, it is possible to have no noticeable symptoms or pain in the jaw. The treatment of jaw joint syndrome aims to correct any minor imbalances in the jaw joints to maximize the natural healing power, regardless of the presence or absence of pain or discomfort in the jaw joints.