TMJ and Stress

Many people ask if TMJ disorders and and stress are linked. The answer is absolutely. Stress and TMJ disorders can go hand in hand. At Lehigh Valley Chiropractic, our chiropractors understand this stress and TMJ connection and can give you simple yet effective strategies for managing the physiologic effects of stress.

TMJ and Stress Hormones

When you feel stressed (work, home, kids, house, family, friends, the list goes on and on…), your body pumps catecholamines (stress hormones like epinephrine, norepinephrine). These are your fight or flight hormones. In other words, when if you needed to run from or fight a bear, these are the hormones that will give you a boost of power to make that happen. Now, in our every day lives, it’s rare that we are actually up against a bear. Instead, we are up against stresses like a bear-like boss, traffic or a toddler tantrum. Our body will pump those catecholamines regardless and our body will physiologically respond.

So you might be wondering okay, how does this stress affect my TMJ disorder? Well two of the effects of stress hormones are vasoconstriction (blood vessels tightening up) and hypermyotonicity (muscles tightening up). This combination is a like a ticking time bomb for people prone to TMJ tightness and pain.

Chiropractic and Stress Relief

So how can you best manage that stress so you can manage your TMJ disorder? Chiropractic adjustments in combination with myofascial (manual (hands-on) muscle therapy) is incredibly effective for treating muscle and joint tightness and tension. You’ll be amazed at how much more relaxed those muscles in your head, neck and shoulders feel after chiropractic treatments. The chiropractors at Lehigh Valley Chiropractic provide specific chiropractic techniques that are designed to manage those physiological effects of stress like TMJ tightness and pain.

Get a chiropractic adjustment and feel the difference in your head, neck and TMJ pain.

Dr Scott Bentson

His background in biomedical engineering/physics and specialized training as a Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) gives Dr. Scott Bentson a unique perspective and area of expertise when it comes to biomechanics and pain management.
His passion for helping people to feel their best combined with this specialized expertise has made him a chiropractor who is in high demand. Dr. Bentson lives and practices in Bethlehem, PA and enjoys sharing this practice with his wife and the creator of YouAnew Lifestyle Nutrition, Dr. Kristen Bentson.

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