Trigger Point Injections for TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) refers to any dysfunction of the jaw muscles, the TMJ, and the nerves associated with chronic facial pain. That said, people with TMD may experience earaches, jaw pain, dizziness, chronic fatigue, difficulty swallowing, irritability, and ringing of the ears (tinnitus).
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To diagnose if you have TMD, your doctor may need to examine your jaw, head, neck, and face. You may also have to undergo some imaging studies like x-ray, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
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There are different treatments for TMD. At The Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea, we offer trigger point injections for TMJ. Through this therapy, we can help relieve your jaw pain and discomfort. Learn more information about this treatment option below.
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What Are Trigger Point Injections for TMJ?
With this form of therapy, knots or TMJ trigger points are broken up to relieve muscle fatigue, injury, strain, and overuse. They also help alleviate the pain caused by teeth grinding or clenching. Often, trigger points remain dormant and don’t produce any symptoms. But once they become active, they can bring about intense muscle pain.
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Trigger point injections can help reduce your pain and relax your muscles. This is particularly true for muscle groups that refer pain from one specific area to other parts of your head, neck, and upper shoulder. Small quantities of anti-inflammatory medication and anesthetic will be injected directly into your inflamed, painful, tense, sore, or stiff muscle groups to relieve pain.
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For the trigger point injection therapy to work successfully, you must undergo several treatment sessions. Depending on your condition, the therapy can be spaced weekly, with about three to four total sessions.
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Trigger point injections are ideal for patients suffering from debilitating jaw pain effects. With the availability of such therapy, along with other forms of treatment, such as platelet-rich fibrin or PRF injection, long-term management of TMD is in sight.
To learn more about trigger point injection therapy for treating and managing TMD, don’t hesitate to contact The Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea today. You may call us at 704-220-1930 or email us at info@tmjsleep.com.