Natural Cure For TMJ(temporomandibular joint)

The temporomandibular joint disorder or the TMJ is a common health condition that affects nearly three fourths of the American population. The condition causes an acute inflammation of the TM joint and interferes with the basic functions of the jaw such as talking, eating or swallowing. As more and more people seek an alternative to allopathic and other conventional forms of medication, natural cure for TMJ is fast emerging as a safe and reliable option.

Natural cures for TMJ disorder cause little or no side effects. This is because most natural remedies are non invasive and do not interfere with the body's mechanism. If you too are looking for a credible and secure remedy for your TMJ disorder, these are some options available to you:

1.Acupuncture: The process of acupuncture involves sticking pins into predetermined points on the body that are known to relieve pain. According to traditional Chinese belief, acupuncture helps to balance the flow of energy in your body. Modern research shows that acupuncture releases and increases the flow of endorphins in the body. Thus the perception of pain to the brain is greatly reduced. With four to five sittings, the jaw can be moved back to its normal position, the clicking and grinding can reduce and it is possible to open your mouth normally. Within ten sessions, long lasting relief from pain can be achieved.

2.Massage: Massages are good for releasing tension and relaxing the muscles. To get relief from TMJ disorder, one needs to gently massage in small circular motions in front of, below and eventually behind the ears. It is also important to massage around the scalp, neck and shoulders to calm the muscles. A skilled masseuse may even be able to locate the lateral pterygoid at the back of your mouth and massage the area thereby bringing relief.

3.Proper diet: Healthy eating is the way to a healthy lifestyle. Giving your body the proper nutrients will help in treating the TMJ disorder. Magnesium rich foods such as legumes and beans are essential for neurotransmission and muscle relaxation. Dairy products rich in calcium help in strengthening the jaw bones. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B 12, C, D and folic acid found in foods like fish liver, dried peas, oysters, nuts, egg yolk, spinach, tuna and cauliflower help in the generation and growth of blood cells, especially red blood cells which are essential for proper bone growth and infection resistance.

Relaxation exercises: The importance of an exercise routine can never be emphasized enough. It is important to move your body parts from time to time in order to keep your body in sound shape. Certain soft movement exercises help to relax the muscles around your jaw, face and neck, thereby curing TMJ disorder by stretching and strengthening body muscles and relieving myofascial pain. Along with various head, neck and arm exercises, yoga can prove to be a powerful natural cure for TMJ disorder. It is essential to follow the advice of a trainer and/or medical practitioner before performing such exercises, as wrong methods may cause your situation to deteriorate.

Other natural cures for TMJ disorder would include meditation, hypnotherapy and reiki treatments. It is important to work on one's bad habits, such as wrong body postures, to ensure the prevention of TMJ disorder. However, for long lasting relief it is essential to try a holistic treatment for your condition. A Holistic treatment aims to restore your body to a state of well being by treating the root cause of the condition. Thus, combining conventional forms of medication along with alternative treatments would ensure not only a complete cure for TMJ disorder but also prevent its occurrence in the future.