TMJ Treatment in Murrysville, PA
Helping You Eat, Talk, and Move Your Jaw More Comfortably
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can affect much more than your jaw. Symptoms such as jaw pain, clicking, popping, headaches, facial tension, and difficulty chewing can make everyday activities frustrating and uncomfortable.
At Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness, we evaluate patients experiencing TMJ related symptoms to identify contributing factors and develop individualized treatment plans focused on improving jaw function, reducing tension, and restoring normal movement.
Whether your symptoms developed gradually or appeared after an injury, a thorough evaluation can help determine the most appropriate treatment options.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joints connect the lower jaw to the skull and play an important role in speaking, chewing, swallowing, and facial movement.
When these joints or the surrounding muscles are not functioning properly, a variety of symptoms may develop, including:
Because TMJ symptoms can have multiple contributing factors, identifying the source of the problem is an important first step.
Why Do TMJ Problems Develop?
TMJ disorders can develop for several reasons, including:
In many cases, symptoms involve a combination of joint, muscle, and movement related factors.
How We Evaluate TMJ Disorders
Every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation before treatment recommendations are made.
Depending on your symptoms, this may include:
- ✓Health history review
- ✓Jaw mobility assessment
- ✓TMJ evaluation
- ✓Muscle tension assessment
- ✓Cervical spine evaluation
- ✓Postural assessment
- ✓Functional movement evaluation
- ✓Digital X-rays when clinically appropriate
The goal is to understand how the jaw, neck, and surrounding structures may be contributing to your symptoms.
How We Treat TMJ Disorders
Treatment recommendations are customized based on the individual's symptoms, examination findings, and goals.
TMJ Specific Adjustments
The temporomandibular joint is a true joint that can develop mobility restrictions just like other joints in the body. When appropriate, TMJ specific chiropractic adjustments may be incorporated into treatment plans to help improve jaw mobility, restore motion, and support more comfortable function.
Chiropractic Care for the Neck and Upper Back
Many TMJ patients also experience neck pain, postural stress, and upper cervical dysfunction. Improving mobility throughout the neck and upper back may help reduce mechanical stress affecting the jaw and surrounding structures.
SoftWave Therapy
TMJ disorders often involve irritation and dysfunction affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues surrounding the jaw. When clinically appropriate, SoftWave Therapy may be incorporated into treatment plans to support the body's natural healing response and complement other TMJ treatment strategies.
Soft Tissue and Movement Based Therapies
Depending on the condition, treatment may also include:
- ✓Cupping therapy
- ✓Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
- ✓Electric muscle stimulation
- ✓Jaw mobility exercises
- ✓Postural recommendations
- ✓Home care strategies
The goal is to improve function while reducing tension affecting the jaw and surrounding structures.
TMJ, Headaches, and Neck Pain
Many patients with TMJ disorders also experience:
- ✓Headaches
- ✓Neck pain
- ✓Facial tension
- ✓Ear pressure
- ✓Upper shoulder tightness
Because these issues are often interconnected, treatment frequently focuses on improving overall function rather than addressing the jaw alone.
Our Approach to TMJ Treatment
At Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness, we focus on identifying the factors contributing to TMJ dysfunction rather than simply chasing symptoms.
Treatment may include TMJ specific adjustments, chiropractic care, SoftWave Therapy, soft tissue therapies, rehabilitation exercises, and movement based recommendations depending on your individual needs.
Our goal is to help patients improve jaw function, reduce discomfort, and return to eating, talking, exercising, and living comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder refers to dysfunction involving the temporomandibular joint and surrounding tissues that can contribute to jaw pain, clicking, popping, headaches, and other symptoms.
Can chiropractors treat TMJ?
Many chiropractors evaluate and treat TMJ related conditions using a combination of joint based, soft tissue, and movement focused treatment approaches.
What causes jaw clicking and popping?
Clicking and popping may occur when the temporomandibular joint is not moving efficiently or when surrounding structures become irritated.
Can TMJ cause headaches?
Yes. Many patients experiencing TMJ dysfunction also report headaches, facial tension, and neck discomfort.
Can SoftWave Therapy be used for TMJ?
SoftWave Therapy may be incorporated into TMJ treatment plans when clinically appropriate, particularly when soft tissue irritation and dysfunction are contributing to symptoms.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is necessary to schedule an evaluation.
Schedule a TMJ Evaluation
If jaw pain, clicking, popping, headaches, facial tension, or difficulty chewing are affecting your daily life, a comprehensive evaluation can help identify the cause and determine the most appropriate treatment options.
Contact Depretis Chiropractic and Total Wellness today to schedule an appointment and learn how TMJ specific adjustments, SoftWave Therapy, chiropractic care, and movement based treatment strategies can help you feel and function better.
Book an AppointmentServing Murrysville, Export, Monroeville, Delmont, Penn Township, Plum, Greensburg, and Surrounding Communities
Office Hours
- Monday8:00am - 12:00pm3:00pm - 6:00pm
- Tuesday8:00am - 12:00pm3:00pm - 6:00pm
- Wednesday2:00pm - 6:00pm
- Thursday8:00am - 12:00pm3:00pm - 6:00pm
- Friday8:00am - 2:00pm
- Saturday9:00am - 12:00pm
- SundayClosed
