/ Health Concerns / Musculoskeletal & Pain

TMJ Joint Pain

Overview

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) pain is a common condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, leading to discomfort, restricted movement, and difficulties with chewing and speaking. This condition can result from various factors, including stress, teeth grinding, misalignment, or arthritis. Effective management of TMJ pain is essential for improving quality of life and restoring normal function. Among the treatment options available, acupuncture has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach. Recent research has explored the efficacy of acupuncture in comparison to traditional treatments, such as occlusal splints.

A recent randomized controlled trial by Grillo (2015) found that acupuncture was equivalent to occlusal splint therapy in terms of pain intensity and range of mouth opening for individuals suffering from TMJ joint pain. The study included 40 participants and highlighted acupuncture as a viable treatment option alongside traditional occlusal splint interventions.