Chronic pain can come in all shapes and sizes. One form of chronic pain is TMJ disorder. Those who suffer from this disorder experiences discomfort and pain when using their Temporomandibular joint, located on their jaw. In America, 1 out of 12 people suffers from this condition. When you have 35 million people experiencing pain caused by the same condition, having readily available treatment options is imperative!
One proven safe and effective way to relieve the pain caused by TMJ disorder is with Botox injections!
What is TMD?
TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder and people who suffer from this TMJ disorder experience variations of pain within this joint. While the cause of this disorder is not black and white, there are some factors that increase your likelihood of developing this condition.
Things such as:
- Genetics
- Arthritis
- Jaw injury
- Grinding/Clenching teeth
Can all cause you to have issues within your temporomandibular joint. Thankfully the pain that comes with TMD usually doesn’t require surgical intervention and is not always a lifelong alignment.
Some common signs that you may be suffering from this condition are:
- Tenderness or pain in your jaw
- Temporomandibular joint pain
- Aching around your ear
- Struggling to chew because of pain
- The locking of your jaw, making it a struggle to open
When you know the signs, you can be proactive in not letting your condition get out of hand. According to Mayo Clinic, stretching and applying hot/cold compresses can help reduce your symptoms till you can get seen by a specialist.
Treatment Options for TMD
Thankfully, most TMD treatment options of nonsurgical and noninvasive! There are a combination of medications and therapies at your disposal before a specialist would recommend more extensive options.
Some medications that would be recommended are:
- Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers
- Muscle relaxants, such as Botox
- Tricyclic antidepressants
Some of the therapies a specialist may recommend are:
- Physical therapy
- Mouthguards
- Counseling
Botox treatment has been a proven way to get lasting results from your TMJ disorder. One study found that out of their participants, 90% found relief through their Botox treatment! Botox can have a pain-relieving effect that lasts around 3 months from just one treatment.
Once you receive this treatment and your jaw muscles relax, you will begin to feel the relief of pain. Some that experience headaches as a side effect of this disorder will feel them start to disperse. Lots of suffers report sensitive teeth, and when properly treated, they will notice that sensitivity going away.
Healing Your Jaw Pain with Botox
While TMJ disorder can cause a greatly negative impact on your life, you do have options! Botox is safe, effective in treating TMD Pain, and can let you be symptom-free for months from just one treatment.
Progressive Pain and Interventional Physichatry has expert specialists that will diagnose your pain and come up with a custom treatment plan that will help you find the relief you need.
If you are ready to reclaim your pain-free life back, give us a call at (214) 826-8000 today!