Chiropractic Care Can Ease Jaw Pain Related to TMJ After Auto Injury

Jaw or TMJ pain is a fairly common problem reported by many people after a car accident, and it can be difficult for some doctors to find the cause of the issue. Complicating the issue, very often you won't experience TMJ pain until many weeks or months after the original injury.

Dr. Marsh has treated many men and women with jaw pain after an injury, and the scientific research explains what triggers these types of symptoms. During a auto accident, the tissues in your spine are frequently stretched or torn, causing ligament, muscle, or nerve damage. This can clearly cause pain in the neck and back, but since your central nervous system is one functioning unit, inflammation of the nerves can cause problems in other parts of your body.

For instance, with radicular pain, irritation of a nerve can cause prickling or numbness in the arm and hand. Similarly, it can affect parts of your body above the injured area, like your head and jaw. Headaches after auto accident are very common because of neck injury, and the jaw works the same way. Dr. Marsh sees this very commonly in our West New York office.

Research Shows Chiropractic Treatment Lessens TMJ Pain After Auto Accident

Studies have shown that the source of many jaw or TMJ problems originates in the neck and that treatment of the underlying neck injury can resolve the secondary headaches or jaw symptoms. The secret to resolving these symptoms is simple: Dr. Marsh will work to restore your spine back to health, alleviating the inflammatory reaction, treating the injured areas, and lessening the irritation to the nerves in your spine.

Dr. Marsh has found that jaw and headache issues often resolve once we return your spine to its healthy state.

If you reside in West New York and you've been hurt in a crash, Dr. Marsh can help. We've been working with auto injury patients for many years and we can most likely help you, too. Give our office a call today at (201) 869-0830 for an appointment or consultation.

Ciancaglini R, Testa M, Radaelli G. Association of neck pain with symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction in the general adult population. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 1999;31:17-22.

Brantingham JW, Cassa TK, Bonnefin D, Pribicevic M, Robb A, et al. Manipulative and multimodal therapy for upper extremity and temporomandibular disorders: a system review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2013;36(3):143-201.