I started Chiropractic treatment a month ago and am now experiencing jaw pain..?
Has anyone else had this experience? I started treatment a little over a month ago, just general chiropractic check-ups, based on a referral by my primary care physician for stress and anxiety.
It HAS done wonders for that, along with a new dietary plan and lifestyle changes, but I’ve been experiencing on and off jaw pain, moderate to severe at times, when trying to close my jaw (as when chewing) or sometimes when I open it too wide. It kind of varies. I went back yesterday and she used some sort of tool that taps on the sides of my neck and jaw several times, and said something about a rotating atlas (or something like that), but it doesn’t seem to have helped much.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Comments
2 Comments on I started Chiropractic treatment a month ago and am now experiencing jaw pain..?
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Rene B on
Fri, 14th May 2010 2:16 pm
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BlackGrape on
Fri, 14th May 2010 3:08 pm
Stress and anxiety are best managed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. Why a chiropractor?
One of the ways people manifest emotional stress in their bodies, along with upper back/shoulder pain is by clenching their jaw muscles or grinding their teeth, usually at night.
Talk to your chiropractic doctor about this possibility. There are some easy-to-do stretches for the big jaw muscles and you may need a referral for stress counseling as well. A dentist can tell if you’ve been grinding at night, or your spouse/S.O. might be able to confirm that he/she hears you do it.
It would be rare that work done to your neck would cause some kind of reaction in your jaw, but possible, and may just be part of “shaking out” a long-standing problem. If it persists, your chiropractic doctor will figure out what you’re reacting to and change it-just like your primary care doctor will change your medication if you have a reaction.
In the meantime, stop chewing gum or chewy foods like bagels.
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