TMJ Problems Are More Than Just Jaw Issues

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Dr. Chae’s Story of TMJ Balance: “My jaw hurts, should I go to an orthopedic clinic or a dental clinic?” Many people who complain of jaw clicking, difficulty opening their mouth, and chewing only on one side suffer longer because they don’t know where to seek treatment. However, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues are not simply problems with the jaw itself.

Because the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the cervical spine and the skull, a misaligned jaw can lead to a misaligned neck, which in turn affects the balance of the entire body. In severe cases, it can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and even growth delays or menstrual irregularities. I approach these TMJ issues from a more fundamental perspective, focusing on ‘TMJ Balancing Medicine’ which centers on restoring whole-body balance.

Today, I will explain why the role of the temporomandibular joint is so important, and how balance treatment using an intraoral appliance contributes to overall body health. TMJ Balancing Medicine for whole body at Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic. Treatment Method of TMJ Balancing Medicine – Intraoral Balancing Appliance (IBA). This appliance moves the TMJ to its most ideal position, optimizing brain stem function.

The soft-type Intraoral Balancing Appliance (IBA). Why TMJ balance dictates whole-body health. The temporomandibular joint is a very important joint that constantly moves when we chew food, speak, and even breathe. However, if the jaw is misaligned to one side or the teeth are unevenly arranged, not only the TMJ but also the cervical vertebrae, especially C1 and C2, become misaligned.

The rotational center of the TMJ is located below the first cervical vertebra (neck bone). If the jaw is misaligned, this rotational center shifts, causing the cervical vertebrae to twist, which can then affect the brain. As a result, various symptoms such as decreased brain function, headaches, hair loss, growth problems, and menstrual irregularities can appear. Furthermore, the entire spine can become misaligned, leading to postural imbalance, lower back pain, and even disc diseases.

The treatment tool used for this is the intraoral balancing appliance. This device is worn inside the mouth and is similar in shape to a dental splint but differs in function. It helps relax the muscles around the jaw and corrects the misaligned temporomandibular joint to its proper position.

There are two types of intraoral balancing appliances: standard and custom-made. The standard type is used for simple treatments, while the custom-made type is used for detailed treatments tailored to an individual’s oral condition. When this appliance is worn, Chuna manual therapy corrects misalignments in the neck and spine, and acupuncture treatment restores autonomic nervous system function, gradually returning the temporomandibular joint to its correct position.

Why is this appliance effective? People swallow saliva every 30 seconds to 1 minute, and if the jaw is misaligned, each swallow puts a strain on the cervical vertebrae, causing further misalignment of the neck. Wearing an intraoral balancing appliance stabilizes the position of the jaw and neck, which greatly contributes to overall body health.

Therefore, if the balance of the temporomandibular joint and cervical vertebrae is disrupted, various physical problems can arise, making it very important to check the condition of your TMJ even for minor symptoms. It’s too uncomfortable when I chew or open my mouth! Where should I get treatment for TMJ pain?

Temporomandibular joint disorder is not simply a problem with the jaw. TMJ disorder can cause subluxation of the upper cervical spine, leading to decreased brain function above and spinal misalignment below, resulting in various systemic diseases. Proper jaw alignment is essential for the comfort of the neck and the entire body.

TMJ correction is not simply about aligning the teeth. It is about aligning the temporomandibular joint and cervical vertebrae to their normal positions. Indiscriminate tooth extraction and orthodontic treatment solely for aligning teeth can lead to other diseases.

The center of jaw movement is not the temporomandibular joint itself, but the area where the upper part of the neck (CO-C2) meets the skull. If there is a problem with the jaw, this area becomes compressed, causing the neck muscles around the cervical vertebrae to tense and contract, which can affect the posture and balance of the entire body. The TMJ is the only joint in the human body governed by 9 cranial nerves.

In particular, the trigeminal nerve innervates the suboccipital muscles attached to the upper cervical vertebrae (C1-C3), making TMJ imbalance a major cause of cervical misalignment. TMJ problems lead to ‘postural imbalance.’ The jaw is connected between the skull and the cervical vertebrae (neck bones), so if the TMJ is misaligned, the balance of the head and neck is disrupted, which in turn affects the shoulders, back, pelvis, and even the legs.

Ultimately, the spine can become misaligned, muscles can become excessively tense or painful, and chronic fatigue or postural imbalance may persist. The area around the temporomandibular joint is where cranial nerves and blood vessels converge. The jaw area is an important region where 9 out of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and major blood vessels pass through.

Therefore, if the temporomandibular joint is misaligned, it can lead to tinnitus, dizziness, headaches, facial asymmetry, and in severe cases, even autonomic nervous system problems. * TMJ Correction We use an intraoral balancing appliance to relax the tense and contracted muscles around the TMJ, correct the position and horizontal balance of the TMJ disc, and improve TMJ disorder.

* Cervical Correction We restore the cervical vertebrae, which have been misaligned due to TMJ disorder, to their normal position, thereby correcting abnormalities in the nervous system and imbalances in the body structure. https://m.blog.naver.com/sunyujae21/223895932418 👉 The image below contains content from Monthly Sunyujae, so please refer to it.

We hope you will join Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in sharing valuable information for a healthy life. Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Suji-gu pursues evidence-based medicine and integrative medicine.

This post was written directly by the medical staff of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic to provide medical information, in compliance with Article 56(2) and Article 57(3) of the Medical Service Act. The duration and outcome of treatment may vary from person to person, so please consult a qualified practitioner before beginning treatment.