TMJ Treatment
Bixby Knolls, Long Beach
What is TMJ?
TMJ* is your “jaw joint.” It is a fluid-filled joint that allows the movements necessary for chewing, breathing, speaking & facial expressions. It joins your lower jaw to your head & is made up of three parts. The capsule, articular disc, and retrodiscal tissue. *Temporomandibular joint.
Malfunction of any of these parts can contribute to pain in the condition of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder).
TMD Symptoms:
You might have TMD if you experience any of the following symptoms:
1) Pain/tenderness of your jaw or pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints.
2) Aching pain in and around your ear, difficulty/pain while chewing or aching facial pain
3) Locking of the joint making it difficult to open or close your mouth and popping or clicking of the jaw joint
We Take Care Of TMJ Pain
Our treatment is drug free, side effect free and safe to use on patients of all ages from adolescents to seniors!
Our TMJ Treatment Protocol
In addition to treatment provided by your dentist’s office, we provide clinically and research* proven techniques which include:
● Intraoral and extraoral muscular release
● Jaw adjustments (manual & Activator ™)
● Trigger point therapy
● Low Level Laser Therapy
● Guided exercises for home use
● Adjustments to upper cervical spine as as needed
*Herpich CM, Amaral AP, Leal-Junior EC, et al. Analysis of laser therapy and assessment methods in the rehabilitation of temporomandibular disorder: a systematic review of the literature. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(1):295-301. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.295)
What Our Patients Are Saying
“After living all over the country and trying so many different chiropractors, she is the ONLY one who has brought me long-term RELIEF for my TMD. I have tried everything - when she suggested I try her laser therapy I was at my last straw - about to get a referral for surgery! It wasn't covered by insurance, but I am so happy I did it! She told me it was imperative my first round of sessions be close together - so I did 2 or 3 sessions a week for a week or two. Now I am once a month just for upkeep and will be even less as time goes on.”
"I've been seeing Dr. Pearl for an interesting TMD issue over the last few months, and she has been very patient and helpful. When I sought treatment, my jaw was misaligned to the point that it would pop extremely loudly every time I opened my mouth (annoying as hell!). Many chiropractors I'd been to had recommended a mouth guard or told me they could not treat this type of issue, but Dr Pearl approached this issue with a hopeful, innovative approach. Now, just a couple months later I can open my jaw almost completely with no pop and just a small pop when I open my mouth fully.”
Call Now to Schedule Your Appointment
Our TMJ Treatment Team
Dr. Hannah Whitney, D.C.
Dr. Hannah Whitney received her doctorate of chiropractic from Southern California University of Health Sciences in 2019. She is also Webster certified (a prenatal chiropractic technique). Dr. Whitney enjoys truly getting to know each of her patients and building a relationship built on mutual respect and trust. She knows that to deliver great patient care, she must understand them as a whole person.
Dr. Anna Pearl, D.C.
Dr. Pearl is a holistic health care practitioner who loves being in family practice. She helps people of all ages from infants, tweens and teens throughout adulthood and more advanced ages. She is a Webster™ certified practitioner; this is a prenatal technique that Dr. Pearl uses for her expectant mothers. Dr. Pearl’s goal is to help all of her patients achieve a sense of health and well-being.
Dr. Colleen O'Hara, D.C.
Dr. O’Hara believes in a balanced approach to healthcare and works with her patients to determine the best way to heal and/or maintain health. She entered the field of chiropractic because she believes in the power of holistic healing while maintaining the perspective that other types of wellness and medicine are necessary and important. Dr. O'Hara strives to build a trusting relationship with each patient, tailoring care to their individual needs.
