Acupuncture for TMJ Pain
The pandemic has been bad for our teeth, friends. So many of my patients have been grinding their teeth like coffee beans at a Starbucks. “Bruxism” is the technical term for tooth grinding and jaw clenching, which can happen either during your tenth Zoom meeting of the day or while you’re asleep.
What causes TMJ disorder?
While it can have a number of causes, including a misaligned bite, for so many people, tooth grinding and clenching is a result of emotional factors including anxiety, stress, and depression. Yeah, there’s been a bit of that going around lately! In fact, dentists have been seeing an unprecedented number of cracked teeth since the start of COVID-10 pandemic, not to mention an uptick in jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, aching in the cheeks, and migraines (T. Chen DDS, 2021).
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (also known as TMJD). TMJ disorder can manifest as pain and discomfort in your jaw, difficulty opening and closing your mouth, and even headaches. And while more and more stressed out people are cracking their teeth like corn nuts at a ball game, an increasing number are turning to acupuncture as a natural and effective way to manage both their tooth and jaw pain and the stress that underlies it.
Acupuncture for TMJ disorder
Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body, which can in turn help to alleviate pain and promote healing. When it comes to TMJD, acupuncture can be particularly effective. By targeting specific points in the jaw and surrounding areas (including Stomach 6, Stomach 7, San Jiao 21, and San Jiao 17), acupuncture can help to relax the muscles, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation. This can help to alleviate pain and improve range of motion in the jaw. I will also typically include points on the hands and feet that have a strong influence on the head and mouth as part of a treatment. (Read more about how acupuncture works to provide pain relief.)
In addition to its physical benefits, acupuncture can also help to reduce stress and promote relaxation. This can be particularly beneficial for those with TMJ disorder, due to the underlying role that stress and anxiety play. Adding insult to injury, bruxism can be a side effect of certain medications, like antidepressants, and it can also be triggered by other substances many folks use to self medicate, including tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs. This only further highlights the need for a holistic approach when treating TMJD.
Tooth grinding: a holistic treatment approach
Herbal medicine can also play a role in the treatment of TMJ pain for patients who wish to minimize the use of acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen, which can take a toll on the liver and gut when used for long periods of time. Chinese herbal formulas can include herbs that dispel wind, move blood, and relieve pain, as well as those that direct a formula’s actions to the face and head, like Gao Ben (Chinese Lovage), Man Jing Zi (Vitex Fruit), and Huang Qin (Chinese Skullcap).
Along with acupuncture and herbs, dietary changes and stress-management techniques can all be part of a holistic Chinese medicine approach to treatment, allowing you to address the root causes of your TMJ pain and promote healing from the inside out.
Acupuncture should be a first resort for anyone seeking a natural and effective way to manage TMJ pain. With its ability to promote relaxation, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation, acupuncture can provide long-lasting relief from the symptoms of TMJ disorder, helping you to feel better and live a more comfortable, pain-free life–with a mouth full of gorgeous, intact chompers.
SOURCES
Chen, T., DDS. (2021, February 9). A Dentist Sees More Cracked Teeth. What’s Going On? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/08/well/live/dentists-tooth-teeth-cracks-fractures-coronavirus-stress-grinding.html
Dr. Lisa Franzetta is a licensed acupuncturist in Oakland, California specializing in pain management, internal medicine, integrative cancer support, and stress management and emotional wellness.