If you already suffer from TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder), you may find that your symptoms worsen during pregnancy. Or it could be that you experience TMJD symptoms for the first time.
Let’s take a look at TMJ disorder during pregnancy in our latest article.
About TMJD
TMJD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder.
The temporomandibular joints are found on either side of your jaw. They connect your jawbone with your skull and enable your jaw to move in a variety of ways.
If you have TMJD, then you experience pain or dysfunction in the muscles around these joints. This pain can also occur in the neck, head and jaw area.
This uncomfortable condition can be caused by excessive wear on the joints, for example, if you grind your teeth, by injury, or by separate conditions like arthritis or even pregnancy.
TMJ disorder and pregnancy
Your body faces many challenges during pregnancy and one of these could be that you experience TMJD symptoms for the first time.
As your pregnancy progresses, your body produces extra fluid and blood to help support your baby’s growth.
This, in turn, can cause edema or swelling of the body’s tissues. If you get edema in the face, you may find that the pressure around the jaw triggers TMJD and symptoms including pain and/or a clicking or locking jaw.
Pregnancy and TMJ disorder are also closely linked thanks to the hormones estrogen and relaxin, which increase during this time.
Both these hormones make your joints and ligaments more relaxed to accommodate your growing shape and ease delivery. Unfortunately, this can also mean that your temporomandibular joints become unstable and you are more prone to TMJD.
TMJ and pregnancy: a natural solution
If you’re pregnant and experiencing TMJD-related pain or discomfort, you will be seeking a gentle yet effective solution.
Have you considered osteopathy? It’s a natural treatment that’s safe during pregnancy and can go a long way to ease those uncomfortable feelings.
The experts here at Osteo Health Calgary offer a range of osteopathy treatments for TMJD during pregnancy.
These include osteopathic adjustments, which involve stretching and applying gentle pressure to the affected area, and myofascial release — gently manipulating the tissue around your temporomandibular joints.
Pregnancy osteopathy near you
If you’re pregnant and looking for a natural solution to TMJ pain, come and see us at Osteo Health Calgary.
Call us at 403-814-0404 or book an appointment with us online at osteohealthcalgary.janeapp.com for a gentle solution to TMJD.
Check out our videos on TMJD!
Approved by Indira Ravaeva. Manual Osteopath. Member of National Manual Osteopathic Society and Osteopathy Australia.
References
1. John Hopkins Medicine website, ‘Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)’. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd
2. Bayramova A. ‘TMD and pregnancy?’, Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2018; 1: 001-006. DOI: 10.29328/journal.cjog.1001001.