Acupuncture for TMJ NYC

Treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders with acupuncture

Acupuncture is a simple, safe, and effective treatment for TMD

Are you looking for the best acupuncture for TMJ in NYC? If so, you came to the right place. Our Acupuncture for TMJ therapeutic program helped many patients get rid of various TMJ symptoms.

Scientific studies demonstrate that acupuncture treatments provide a consistent response and help with TMJ symptoms. TMJ is sometimes the consequence of long-term stress kept in the jaw or muscles around the jaw and face that are restricted. Acupuncture can help relax these targeted muscles while also lowering overall stress levels in the body to relieve TMJ aches. TMD requires significant lifestyle adjustments over time. The goal of acupuncture is to alleviate stress tension in the scalp, neck, and jaw, all linked with TMJ. Acupuncture can not cure a structural jaw problem, but it is beneficial at helping to relieve its symptoms.

Get a consultation to see if acupuncture therapy is appropriate for you. Find out more about the cost of acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture for TMJ procedure

What are temporomandibular joint disorders?

TMJ is the temporomandibular joint. However, over time, many people have utilized the term “TMJ” to refer to TMD temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJD temporomandibular joint dysfunction. We will refer to this disorder as TMJ to stay consistent with popular terms. 

TMJ involves a set of disorders that affect muscles in your jaws, mouth, and face. TMJ also includes several pain conditions related to temporomandibular joint pain and arthritis. TMJ symptoms include headaches, dizziness, earaches, blurry vision, and tension in your jaw muscles. Some people grind their teeth at night without even realizing it.

What are causes of jaw pain?

Multiple things can cause TMJ painNeurological disorders, stress, depression, and anxiety can trigger tension in the jaw muscle. This temporomandibular joint disorder is often the leading cause of teeth grinding and jaw clenching, also called bruxism. TMJ disorder can also be caused by an accident or trauma in some cases. Bruxism does not always cause symptoms, but some people get facial pain and headaches, pain in the neck and the upper back. Constant teeth clenching can wear down your teeth over time. Most people who grind their teeth and clench their jaws are unaware they’re doing it. Over time, bruxism may result of wear and tears on the joints, which will result in chronic jaw pain and clicking sounds as well as a myriad of other symptoms, including headaches, visual dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a sensitivity to noise from high decibel sounds. There are three main types of TMJ disorders:

Internal temporomandibular joint derangement

A dislocated jaw, displaced TMJ disc, or injury to the lower jaw can result in TMJ disorders. This type of disorder causes pain that can be felt in the jaw or the ear.
The most common form of internal temporomandibular joint derangement is an anterior displacement of the articular disk in relation to the condyle. Often, joint pain and popping/clicking occur, and the disk returns to normal position on jaw opening. This condition responds favorably to acupuncture treatments, physical therapy, and osteopathic manipulations in most cases. However, sometimes surgery is necessary if conservative treatment fails.

Degenerative Joint Disease

The overuse or aging of the joint can cause degeneration and/or inflammation of the joint temporomandibular joint. This inflammation can lead to TMJ symptoms. Some people with arthritis of the temporomandibular joint may also experience TMJ symptoms. Acupuncture works very well at clearing inflammation and releasing clenched jaw and neck muscles that accompany this condition.

Myofascial Pain Disorder

Stress and anxiety are often the leading cause of teeth grinding and jaw clenching, also known as bruxism. Bruxism does not always cause symptoms, but some people get facial pain and headaches, and it can wear down your teeth over time. Most people who grind their teeth and clench their jaws are unaware they’re doing it. Over time, bruxism may result in wear and tears on the joints, which will cause chronic jaw pain and clicking sounds as well as a myriad of other symptoms, including headaches, visual dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a sensitivity to noise from high decibel sounds.

We believe acupuncture is the best treatment for TMJ myofascial pain disorder because acupuncture uniquely treats pain and emotional distress.

Acupuncture for TMJ popular FAQ

How does acupuncture help with TMJ pain?

The first step in acupuncture therapy is to perform a Chinese medicine diagnosis. It’s critical to pinpoint the source of the problem. We need to figure out what channels and anatomical parts are involved in the pathogenic process. Once we identify the causative factor, the nature of the pathogenic process, and the involved acupuncture channels, we can create a treatment strategy. In our experience, distal acupuncture points play an essential role in resolving this condition. Other modalities, such as Gua Sha and Cupping Therapy, are necessary to assist acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture is excellent at clearing inflammation and treating pain, but it is also a great way to reduce stress. Discuss your unique circumstances with us, and let us devise a treatment strategy that suits your needs.

What else can I do to get rid of TMJ fast?

Since stress plays an essential role in TMJ development, we instruct our patients to identify the source of stress and eliminate it. If this is not possible, we teach them techniques to cope with stress, such as Qi Gong and meditation. 

Often TMJ also causes neck pain and tension. In addition to treating this symptom with acupuncture, we advise our patients to devise a physical exercise routine to correct neck position.

Another critical aspect of healing TMJ is to avoid bad eating habits. An anti-inflammatory diet plays a crucial role in healing chronic jaw pain. By avoiding foods that cause systemic inflammation, many people can control their jaw pain. 

Is acupuncture or chiropractor better for TMJ?

Acupuncture is a complete treatment that works well with other therapies, such as physical therapy, chiropractic, and massage therapy. When acupuncture is used in conjunction with these treatments as part of an overall healthcare approach, it is more successful at preserving whole-body health.

How long does acupuncture take for TMJ?

Overall, your first acupuncture for TMD treatment should last between one hour to ninety minutes. That’s because we are getting to know you and your condition during the first visit. The following appointments are approximately one hour long. If your symptoms are acute, we recommend you come for treatment at least once a week. Acupuncture is also sometimes done on an as-needed basis, but that would only be after your practitioner had a chance to evaluate your pain level and internal pattern of distress and then design and build an acupuncture treatment plan for you.

Why Choose Acupuncture NYC

TMJ acupuncture treatment in New York City

When it comes to acupuncture treatment for TMJ, you can rest assured that a top New York acupuncturist will treat you with the most trusted and best-researched techniques available. At Acupuncture NYC, we have a steadfast commitment to quality. Our greatest pleasure is giving our valued clients the peace of mind and self-assurance that good health can provide. Our acupuncture clinic has had a long history of exceeding patient expectations. You may rest confident that we are enthusiastic about good clinical outcomes, and our NYC Acupuncture TMJ program will bring you the results you desire.

Wondering if acupuncture treatments can help you? Get in touch with our Midtown NYC acupuncture clinic today to find out more!

Andre Yershov, L.Ac. Full body portrait
Andre Yershov, L. Ac., founder of Acupuncture NYC