Jaw or TMJ pain is a fairly typical condition experienced by people after a auto accident, and it can be difficult for some doctors to identify the root of the problem. Complicating the matter, oftentimes you won't develop TMJ pain until many weeks or months after the incident.
Dr. Forsyth has treated many individuals with jaw pain after an injury, and the scientific research explains what causes these types of symptoms. During a car accident, the tissues in your spine are commonly stretched or torn, causing ligament, muscle, or nerve damage. This can obviously cause pain in the neck and back, but since your central nervous system is one functioning unit, inflammation of the nerves can cause problems in other parts of your body.
For instance, with radicular pain, irritation of a nerve can cause prickling or pins and needles in the arm or hand. Similarly, it can affect parts of your body above the injured tissues, like your head and jaw. Headaches after auto collision are very common because of neck injury, and the TMJ works the same way. Dr. Forsyth sees this very commonly in our Las Vegas office.
Research shows that the root of many jaw or TMJ symptoms starts in the cervical spine and that treatment of the underlying neck problem can resolve the secondary headaches or jaw symptoms. The secret to resolving these symptoms is simple: Dr. Forsyth will work to restore your spine back to health, alleviating the inflammation, treating the injured tissues, and eliminating the irritation to the nerves in your spine.
Dr. Forsyth finds that jaw and headache symptoms often resolve once we restore your spine to its healthy state.
If you reside in Las Vegas and you've been injured in a crash, Dr. Forsyth can help. We've been treating auto injury patients for many years and we can most likely help you, too. Give our office a call today at (702) 722-2225 for an appointment or consultation.
Ciancaglini R, Testa M, Radaelli G. Association of neck pain with symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction in the general adult population. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 1999;31:17-22.
Brantingham JW, Cassa TK, Bonnefin D, Pribicevic M, Robb A, et al. Manipulative and multimodal therapy for upper extremity and temporomandibular disorders: a system review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2013;36(3):143-201.
Dr. Bobby Forsyth, DC is a Chiropractor in Las Vegas, NV. He is accepting new patients. Be sure to call ahead with Dr. Forsyth to book an appointment.
