19 Jun How Red Light Therapy for TMJ Can Provide Relief
Have you ever felt pain in your jaw from eating or talking? If the answer is yes, you may suffer from TMJ dysfunction (TMD); the related pain is often simply called “TMJ pain.”
TMJ dysfunction is a prevalent condition that affects people differently, causing mild discomfort to extreme chronic pain. Fortunately, many treatment options are available depending on the severity of your jaw pain, including red light therapy.
Red light therapy for TMJ dysfunction, pain, and other symptoms is a non-invasive way to provide long-term results. At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, we tailor each patient’s treatment to their source of pain. Keep reading to learn more about the pain and other symptoms of TMJ dysfunction and how red light therapy might be a therapeutic option for you.
Understanding TMJ Problems: Signs, Symptoms, and Causes
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joints; they link your lower jawbone and mandible to the temporal bone at the bottom of your skull. You can feel these joints in front of your ears whenever you open and close your jaw.
You might suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) if you regularly experience any of these symptoms:
- Headaches or toothaches
- Trismus (lockjaw) and jaw clicking
- Ear pain
- Cheek muscle swelling
- Aches in your face, neck, or shoulders when you open your mouth too wide, speak, or chew
- Inability to open your mouth completely without jaw discomfort
The exact cause of TMJ pain is currently unknown. Still, orofacial pain experts (like Dr. Harstfield) say that symptoms primarily stem from jaw joint or muscle issues.
Regardless of the root of your jaw pain, red light therapy can effectively reduce TMJ-related symptoms. Click here to learn more about why you might be susceptible to TMJ disorder.
Red Light Therapy for TMJ
TMJ disorder causes muscle tension and discomfort, but red light therapy can help relax these muscles and heal the tissues causing pain. Red light therapy involves directing a laser at the temporomandibular joints or the source of pain. The light penetrates deep to reduce inflammation and accelerate the repair of damaged muscles and tissues.
Red light therapy for TMJ has many benefits that other treatment plans do not offer. It requires no anesthesia, is a needle-free alternative to onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) or steroids, and many patients report that the relief is almost instantaneous.
Lasting Relief Starts Here
Red light therapy is an excellent choice for mild to chronic jaw pain. However, it is most effective when combined with other forms of treatment. At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, we offer many promising options to help reduce your jaw pain.
If you experience chronic jaw pain and discomfort, it might be time to visit your general healthcare provider or dentist. They can evaluate your symptoms and gauge if referring you to a TMJ specialist is necessary. You can begin your referral process with us anytime (even now)!
For more information about red light therapy for TMJ pain and dysfunction, call (205) 874-9699 or contact us online today!