Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (Tmj)

"Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (Tmj)" Issue / Symptom Connections

Below you will find various relationships to, and potential clinical treatment approaches for temporomandibular joint disorder (tmj).

It is critical to appreciate that in Chinese Medicine, treatment for "temporomandibular joint disorder (tmj)" is rarely focused on the symptoms exclusively. Alternatively, a practitioner is looking at the factors that led to the development of "temporomandibular joint disorder (tmj)" - i.e. the "cause(s)".

For non-practitioners, we recommend reading treating the "cause" and not the "symptoms" for more on the overall approach and the importance of the TCM diagnostic system in formulating treatment approaches.

Related Acupuncture Protocols

When developing an acupuncture protocol a practitioner is very often focusing on the causal diagnoses in Chinese Medicine terms, not on the condition itself. To illustrate and guide developing an acupuncture treatment for someone experiencing temporomandibular joint disorder (tmj), this issue is referenced in the following acupuncture protocol section:

• View EX Huatuojiaji at C4 (Sides of Spine at C4)
  
      .5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous processes of C4
  
      C4 innervates the areas of the mouth, jaw and chin.  May be used for a range of dental issues, bell's palsy, tmj as well as shoulder tension and/or neck issues due to holding tension in the upper parts of the body. Used extensively within…
• View SI 11 (Celestial Gathering)
  
      On the scapula in a depression at the center of the infrascapular fossa, found at the junction of the upper and middle …
  
      Breast problems, mastitis, insufficient lactation, breast pain. Emotional issues, anxiety that presents with asthma, expands and relaxes the chest, asthma generally. Local point for channel pain within the shoulder, scapula region, elbow…
• View SI 17 (Celestial Countenance)
  
      Posterior to the angle of the mandible in a depression on the anterior border of the SCM.
  
      Both SI 16 & SI 17 are Window of the Sky Points and are useful for throat distention, swelling, goiters, lumps in neck a/or throat. Chest oppression, wheezing, cough, asthma. Ear issues - tinnitus, deafness. Tong Ren/Tam Healing Sys…
• View SI 19 (Auditory Palace)
  
      Anterior to the tragus and posterior to the condyloid process of the mandible, in a depression formed when the mouth is…
  
      Ear problems of any etiology, inflammation, deafness, tinnitus, hearing loss. TMJ, toothache. Calms the spirit - manic behavior, epilepsy, sensation of pressure below the heart.  
• View ST 4 (Earth Granary)
  
      Directly below the pupil, lateral to the corner of the mouth.
  
      Facial pain - Bell's palsy, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, deviation of mouth from stroke, toothache. Inability to close the eye, eye twitching, itching, night blindness. Inability to eat. May be helpful for atrophy and/or move…
• View ST 6 (Jawbone)
  
      One finger width anterior and superior to the angle of the mandible at the belly of the masseter muscle with teeth clen…
  
      Eliminate wind from the face - TMJ, toothache, Bell's palsy, twitching, facial pain/paralysis. Loss of voice, deviation of mouth/face, lockjaw.
• View ST 7 (Below the Joint)
  
      On the face, anterior to the ear, in a depression between the zygomatic arch and the mandibular notch, with mouth close…
  
      TMJ, facial pain, lower jaw toothache. Hearing issues, deafness, tinnitus, ear pain, ear discharge/infections.
• View ST 45 (Severe Mouth)
  
      .1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail on the lateral side of the 2nd toe.
  
      Release heat a/or move stagnation from the channel and organ - headaches, toothaches, facial pain, sore throat, TMJ, bell's palsy, facial deviation from stroke. Agitation a/or insomnia w/heat signs, excessive dreaming, loss of consciousne…