TMJ and Trigeminal Neuralgia- Acupuncture and TCM Treatment
Learn how Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help alleviate TMJ chronic pain and Trigeminal Neuralgia. Our holistic approach focuses on addressing the root causes of your pain to provide long-lasting relief and improve your overall well-being.
How Acupuncture Can Help TMJ Pain
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. For TMJ pain, acupuncture can help reduce inflammation, relax muscles, and improve blood circulation in the affected area. By targeting both the symptoms and underlying causes of TMJ and Trigeminal Neuralgia, acupuncture can provide significant relief.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for TMJ Relief
TCM views the body as a whole system, with interconnected pathways of energy flow. Through techniques such as herbal medicine, cupping, and dietary therapy, TCM aims to balance the body's energy and restore harmony to alleviate pain and discomfort. TCM can be an effective complementary treatment for TMJ, addressing both physical and energetic imbalances.
Combining Acupuncture and TCM for Comprehensive TMJ Care
By combining the holistic approaches of Acupuncture and TCM, we can provide comprehensive care for TMJ pain. Our skilled practitioners will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, addressing both the symptoms and root causes of your TMJ condition. Experience the healing benefits of these ancient practices and find relief from TMJ discomfort.
Acupuncture and TCM for TMJ and Trigeminal Neuralgia
TMJ Chronic Pain
There is documentation that acupuncture can help relieve muscle spasms, and reduce muscle tension, that is in case of the origin of pain in muscles. Acupuncture can also help reduce TMJ “clicking” by reduction in spasms of the lateral pterygoid muscles, and therefore it can reduce the displacing force on the meniscus of the temporomandibular Joint.
In addition to the points selected on the face and hands or legs specific points like ST-6,&7, SI-18, DU-20, GB-20, and LI-4 can help the TMJ disorder.
A study done in 2017 has shed some light in the treatment of TMJ using acupuncture.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
There are two types of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
The Primary trigeminal neuralgia is usually due to the compression of the nerve, most likely in the base of the head where the brain and the spinal cord meet. This can be because there is contact between arteries/veins and the nerve at the base of the brain. This can cause pressing on the nerve as it enters the brain and misconducting pain happens.
The Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia can be due to pressure on the nerve from other sources like a tumor or other conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis or facial injuries/dental work.
Acupuncture in general has a calming effect on the nervous system. Acupuncture can release natural pain killing substances. When acupuncture is done on a patient, signals are sent through the nervous system to the brain, then endorphins, enkephalins, norepinephrine are released. Some of these substances can act as pain killers and calm the nervous system!
There has been some studies on this issue. Please check the following articles.
Acupuncture for primary trigeminal neuralgia: A systemic review and PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.
Successful treatment of a resistant trigeminal neuralgia patient by acupuncture.
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