The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is the area directly in front of the ear on either side of the head where the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) meet. This joint is used throughout the day to move the jaw, especially in biting and chewing, talking, and yawning.
TMJ disorders are a group of complex problems of the jaw joint also sometimes referred to as myofascial pain dysfunction due to the muscles and joints not working properly together because of unbalanced activity, spasm, held stress or overuse of the jaw muscles.
Did You Know?
- TMJD is the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition resulting in pain and disability (after chronic low back pain), affecting approximately 5 to 12% of the population.
- Only about 50 to 60% of people with a TMJ disorder will seek relief. Those who don’t get help continue to live with painful side effects. In fact, 15% of those who did not seek help will even develop a chronic TMJ disorder.
- The ratio of women to men increases with the severity of symptoms, approaching nine women for every one man with major limitations in jaw movements and chronic, unrelenting pain.
Symptoms & Conditions:
- Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when chewing, speaking, or opening the mouth wide
- Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint opening or closing the mouth
- A tired feeling in the face
- Dizziness
- Trouble chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite — as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
- Swelling on the side of the face
- Tooth, head, neck, or shoulder aches
- Earaches, hearing issues, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
How Bowenwork® Helps
Bowen is very helpful in easing TMJ symptoms. In fact, there is a procedure specifically for TMJ and has much success. Many sufferers report a decrease in pain within a short time after the Bowen session.
Trigeminal neuralgia can be eased when Bowen releases the tension in the neck and jaw, because this condition is typically related to misalignment or spasm in the jaw joint. Bowen removes inflammation in the body and related muscles, tendons and nerves that are a response to stress, injury or misalignment.
A research project on the application of Bowen Therapy on TMJ abnormality was started in Durango, Colorado by Dr. John Bauman, DDS. Assessment of masseter tension by bio-feedback, measurement of bite and subjective symptoms were compared before and after they received help. Immediately after the first session, 1/3 of clients felt dramatic relief in some of their symptoms and 20 out of the 22 clients showed significant improvement on the post bio-feedback assessment.
