| Bryant Park Wellness Dr. Jeffrey K. Linder |
| Temporomandibular Joint Disorder |
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Clinic
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a condition in
which the hinge connecting the upper and lower jaw is not
working properly. This hinge is one of the most complex joints in
the body, responsible for moving the lower jaw forward,
backward and from side to side. Any problem that prevents this
complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from
working as it should is called TMD.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is defined by these primary symptoms:
headaches and pain behind the eyes, back of the head, and at the temples.
What causes TMD?
Faulty joint mechanics either due to trauma, stress, or poor postural habits, cause the poor
tracking of the mandible (lower jaw) during chewing. This may further lead to:
Muscle tightness and adhesion deposits cause uneven TMJ movement, and localized and
nearby pain.
Our goal is to relax chronically tight muscles and breakup adhesions in muscles, ligaments,
and tendons, leading to pain reduction and proper functioning of the jaw.
How is TMD treated?
TMD is often treated in a multidisciplinary fashion.
What is the Graston Technique?
The Graston Technique is the widely respected soft tissue rehabilitation method widely
used to treat a large variety of muscle/skeletal disorders.
Using patented carefully shaped instruments to apply gentle pressure to soft tissue, the
procedure has been shown to effectively treat acute and chronic pain.
By breaking up adhesions, the treatment decreases pain and increases movement and
function.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is a condition in
which the hinge connecting the upper and lower jaw is not
working properly. This hinge is one of the most complex joints in
the body, responsible for moving the lower jaw forward,
backward and from side to side. Any problem that prevents this
complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from
working as it should is called TMD.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is defined by these primary symptoms:
- Pain and tenderness of the muscles for chewing
- Joint sounds with jaw opening
- Limited mandibular (lower jaw) movement
headaches and pain behind the eyes, back of the head, and at the temples.
What causes TMD?
Faulty joint mechanics either due to trauma, stress, or poor postural habits, cause the poor
tracking of the mandible (lower jaw) during chewing. This may further lead to:
- Uneven wear on the teeth
- Night grinding of the teeth
- Tight painful muscles
- Adhesion deposits in all muscles, tendons, and ligaments involved with chewing
- Degeneration of TMJ disc producing clicking sounds when opening or closing
mandible - Tightening of the top vertebrae in the neck
Muscle tightness and adhesion deposits cause uneven TMJ movement, and localized and
nearby pain.
Our goal is to relax chronically tight muscles and breakup adhesions in muscles, ligaments,
and tendons, leading to pain reduction and proper functioning of the jaw.
How is TMD treated?
TMD is often treated in a multidisciplinary fashion.
- A dentist evaluates the patient’s Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to determine if the
pain syndrome is due to teeth, tumor, infection, dislocation, or malocclusion of the
bite. - The dentist determines whether a bite-plate is needed.
- If the dentist thinks a referral is warranted, we evaluate the TMJ movement
pattern, range of motion, scar tissue formation, and whether the muscles of
mastication (chewing) are tight and painful or underactive. - The patient indicates the areas that are painful.
- Graston Technique is used to break up adhesions around the lower jaw and the
muscles for chewing and to reduce muscle tension. - We then use a soft tissue technique to relax the muscles which shift the jaw left to
right.. - The neck is then gently adjusted to reduce tension and improve alignment.
- Exercises are prescribed to improve TMJ flexibility and tracking.
What is the Graston Technique?
The Graston Technique is the widely respected soft tissue rehabilitation method widely
used to treat a large variety of muscle/skeletal disorders.
Using patented carefully shaped instruments to apply gentle pressure to soft tissue, the
procedure has been shown to effectively treat acute and chronic pain.
By breaking up adhesions, the treatment decreases pain and increases movement and
function.
| Bryant Park Wellness 212-768-4078 500 Fifth Avenue (at 42nd Street), Suite 222 drjlinder@optonline.net |
| Bryant Park Wellness 212-768-4078 500 Fifth Avenue (at 42nd Street), Suite 222 drjlinder@optonline.net |
