People often visit their chiropractors in Fort Wayne when they are experiencing headaches. The benefit of chiropractic care for chronic headaches is that it offers a solution to the symptoms without the side effects of headache medications. As your chiropractor determines the best treatment plan for your headaches, he or she may recommend treating you for TMJ issues to resolve your symptoms. If you have TMJ problems, then you may be surprised to learn just how closely they are linked to your headache pain. Here is what you need to know.

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the area in which your jaw and skull connect. It is the most active joint in your body and plays a role in eating, speaking, yawning, brushing your teeth, or any other activity that involves opening your mouth. As such, it is prone to inflammation, pain, and damage. Although TMJ technically refers specifically to the joint, many people also use it as shorthand for TMJ syndrome, a condition associated with chronic pain in the TMJ that can be caused by a variety of issues. TMJ syndrome is also sometimes called TMD, or temporomandibular disorder.

What is the link between TMJ and headaches?

Problems with the TMJ can cause a chain reaction of issues that trigger headaches. Inflammation in the joint may put pressure on nerves and muscles that then become sore and cause headache pain. When this problem is ongoing, your headaches can become chronic.

How can a chiropractor help?

Chiropractors have a track record of success when it comes to treating headaches without medication. By treating the underlying cause of the headaches, such as joint misalignments, your chiropractor can ease the pain and save you from taking headache medications. Through manipulation of the TMJ, similar to the way he or she performs a spinal adjustment, your chiropractor can treat the TMJ disorder and alleviate the related headaches.