The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the medical term for the paired joints connecting the upper and lower jaws. As one of the most complex joints in the body, it is the source of a variety of disorders, which leads to the common use of this same term (TMJ) to describe pain or other dysfunction of these joints. Often, an effective treatment for TMJ disorder is difficult to achieve, since the condition is related to a variety of aspects of both the mind and body, including dental problems, mental stress, and neuromuscular disorders. Fortunately for those suffering from TMJ syndrome, acupuncture offers one of the most effective alternative medicine treatments, and is able to address many of these aspects of temporomadibular joint disorder A recent British study of 70 cases of dental patients receiving acupuncture for TMJ indicated that 85% of patients benefited with an average reduction in pain intensity of 75%.
Acupuncture may be used alone or in conjunction with other treatment approaches. Medications for TMJ disorders can include anti-inflammatories, analgesics (pain killers), muscle relaxants, as well as local injections of corticosteroids in severe cases, maybe recommended by your doctor or dentist. Acupuncture does not interact with these modern medical treatments and can often replace them as therapy without any of their risks of side effects.