Have you ever bitten into a succulent Michigan apple, only to be met with a sharp, unrelenting pain in your jaw? Or perhaps, while enjoying the local events during the Sterling Heights summer festivals, you felt a frustrating discomfort as you tried to chew? Such instances make you wonder: Could certain foods trigger or aggravate your Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD)? As your go-to chiropractor for TMJ relief in Sterling Heights, our practice hopes to provide you with everything you need to ensure maximum recovery.
TMJD isn’t merely about jaw discomfort; it's a multifaceted issue that delves deeper into our lives than we often realize. Imagine preparing for a warm family gathering in Sterling Heights, looking forward to the hearty dishes and sharing laughter. However, instead of eager anticipation, you're consumed with anxiety about whether your TMJ will act up. Can you fully engage in conversations without grimacing from pain? Will you have to politely decline Grandma's famous pot roast because it's too tough for your jaw?
Beyond these situational challenges, TMJ pain can affect fundamental aspects of life. Connecting with loved ones, indulging in your favorite meals, or simply waking up without aching discomfort become seemingly insurmountable tasks. When TMJ symptoms persist, it's not just about managing pain—it’s about reclaiming your life. Thankfully, there are two things you can do to prevent your symptoms from ruining your chance at a happy life: making diet modifications and considering atlas bone adjustments.
For those grappling with TMJD, diet modifications can significantly reduce symptoms and promote better jaw health. Some foods can aggravate the condition, intensify pain, or strain the jaw. If you're in Sterling Heights and are battling with TMJD, here's a list of foods you might want to reconsider:
Foods such as raw vegetables, hard candies, and nuts can exert significant pressure on the jaw while chewing. Biting into crisp apples or snacking on almonds may seem harmless, but they could actually worsen TMJ symptoms.
Foods that require prolonged chewing can strain the jaw muscles. This includes gum, taffy, caramel, and certain tough meats. If you're used to chewing gum throughout the day, consider swapping it out for a mint.
Think of foods that require you to open your mouth wide to take a bite, like big burgers or subs. These can put added strain on your TMJ and might lead to more discomfort.
Peanut butter, certain pastries, and gooey desserts can stick to your teeth and require more jaw effort to eat. They can also lead to prolonged jaw activity, which isn't ideal for someone with TMJD.
Extreme temperatures can sometimes aggravate TMJ pain. While enjoying a chilly treat during Sterling Heights' summers or a piping hot drink in the winters is tempting, moderation is key.
While it might be tough for some to skip their morning coffee, caffeine can sometimes exacerbate muscle tension, which might affect the jaw. Consider decaf options or reduce your intake.
What if there was a holistic approach to managing and potentially alleviating TMJ symptoms? Enter the realm of Upper Cervical Chiropractic. At the heart of Sterling Heights is the Transcendence Family Wellness Center. Our unique approach isn't just about addressing the symptoms but delving deep into the root causes. Our specialty lies in restoring balance in the topmost section spine, which, in many instances, has a direct correlation with alleviating TMD symptoms.
It's vital to understand that the health of our spine and neck is intrinsically tied to many other parts of our body. Remember, a misalignment, especially in the Upper Cervical region, can manifest in ways you don't expect—like TMJD. By seeking care from experts like our practicing Upper Cervical Chiropractors, you're not only giving your spine the attention it deserves but potentially opening the door to relief from TMJ pain.
Every Sterling Heights, MI, resident deserves a life unburdened by the constant trepidation of TMJ symptoms. Let the Transcendence Family Wellness Center be your partner in this journey. You owe it to yourself to explore all avenues of relief, and a consultation with Dr. Josh Henk and Dr. Kenzie Henk is the key to unlocking a more comfortable, pain-free life. Embrace the possibility of enjoying every bite, every laugh, and every moment. Book your appointment today.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Henk, call our Sterling Heights office at (586) 943-0584. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Headaches, neck pain, and sudden bouts of jaw pain; what can you initially make out of this terrible trio? Do you often experience all three after navigating several challenges and a long hectic work week? Have these symptoms taken over your life, relationship, work responsibilities, and overall wellness? Are these the only thing you can think about every single day?
Many patients seeking TMJ relief in Sterling Heights MI, often have these three health mishaps. And most of them have already confirmed with their general practitioners that they have TMJ disorders.
If you are newly diagnosed with TMJD, you might find it helpful to go through our discussion on two of the most highly recommended sources of TMJ pain relief: upper cervical chiropractic and massage therapy.
Several case studies support the claims that upper cervical care and massage therapy help patients recover or cope better with TMJ disorders. Here are a few findings from research papers we found across various medical journals:
If you want to try massage therapy, you must know your key trigger points in the jaw. These include the following:
Press these trigger points to release tension and improve your TMJ pain. You can also try friction massage – a technique that promotes blood circulation by kneading and rolling on the tender parts. This can help deal with muscle knots, especially along your upper back.
Have you had a history of getting into a car accident or hurting your neck during a competitive sports competition? Have you recently given birth and noticed changes in your posture? Do you have cervical disc problems? If you answer yes to all three queries, you need to consider upper cervical chiropractic care.
It’s a trusted remedy for TMJD that applies to almost any patient; young or old; male or female; with comorbidities or not; rest assured, you can get quality care when you work closely with your upper cervical care doctor.
Chronic health problems like TMJD aren’t virtually impossible to manage. That’s why it would be best to seek a potential source of relief before the damage to your temporomandibular joint worsens. The sooner you can remove pressure on the joints, the better and quicker changes you can see.
Consult with one of our cervical chiropractors to learn how you can enjoy significant TMJ relief in Sterling Heights MI, with the help of chiropractic adjustments on the atlas bone.
Help your body heal from poorly addressed neck and head injuries from the past so you can achieve better health. Upper cervical care has worked wonders for countless patients, especially those who have almost given up hope on finding a lasting source of TMJ relief. Schedule your appointment with either Dr. Josh Henk or Dr. Kenzie Henk today! Let’s help you embrace an all-improved version of yourself with the help of gentle neck bone adjustments.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Henk, call our Sterling Heights office at (586) 943-0584. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.