Take The Pain Out Of Christmas

Belvedere Clinic’s James Heron

atest press release from The Belvedere Clinic, Charlesland, issued on Thursday, December 15th 2022…

The Belvedere Clinic is delighted to announce the introduction of their new treatment offering. This is a therapeutic option for a little appreciated but hugely important part of the body.

Introducing the hardest working joint in the body

The Temporomandibular joint is the hinge joint between the jaw and the skull. It is essential for the actions of mastication, as well as speech and breathing. It is literally essential for life. We use it up to 2000 times a day. We shouldn’t be surprised that it can get into trouble.

Temporomandibular dysfunction TMD is the name given to a number of painful conditions

Signs and Symptoms

A TMD should be suspected if a person presents with one or more of the following clinical features:

Pain in and around the TMJ and/or muscles of mastication, which may radiate to other structures including facial pain. Pain may be provoked by palpation of the TMJ and associated muscles, or by jaw movement or function, (such as teeth grinding or jaw clenching).

Joint noise of the TMJ (clicking, popping, ) on any jaw movements, with or without restricted movement or locking of the TMJ.

Headache limited to the temporal region.

Otalgia (ear pain) and/or tinnitus in the absence of ear disease.

Types of TMD

Pain-related TMDs may be subdivided into different categories:
1. Myalgia/myofascial pain.
2. Headache — typically confined to the temporal region.
3. Arthralgia.
4. Intra-articular disorders.

Our myofascial release therapy is an effective treatment option for the first two, the third is an arthritic condition and the fourth may require surgical intervention. We can advise on all options for treatments appropriate for the sufferers.

TMDs may be also classified according to the duration of symptoms.
● Acute TMD pain is often of short duration, self-limiting, and may be related to prolonged jaw opening (such as following dental treatment or trauma).
● Chronic TMD pain is defined as lasting for more than 3 months.

If you have been advised by your dentist to wear a dental splint at night it may be because you are grinding your teeth at night which may lead to TMD. If you are stressed and tend to “clench” your jaw during times of stress, this may also cause TMD.

As well as providing manual (myofascial) therapy we will also discuss stress management strategies as well as self care options.

Call or Whatsapp us on 0862468014 to find out more about TMD and our Myofascial release treatment. The Belvedere Clinic is located in the Go Gym in Charlesland, website here.

Source: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE