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  • TMJ
  • Causes
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment

TMJ Specialist in Houston

Are you having pain in your jaw, headaches, or roaches in and around your ears? Do you have problems with swallowing, biting, or opening and closing your mouth? Have you tried various TMJ medical treatments and not had any relief? Our TMJ specialists are providing treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) using natural Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) at Osteopathic Healing Hands. Visit our clinic or book an appointment online to see a doctor for TMJ today.

OMT for TMJ (Jaw Pain)

Studies have shown:

  • OMT can induce changes in jaw function for TMJ.
  • OMT on TMJ requires significantly less medication (non-steroidal medication and muscle relaxants), making it an effective TMJ medical treatment.

The temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is commonly referred to as TMJ syndrome. There are two joints, one on either side of the head, located in front of your ears where your lower jaw meets the skull. You will be able to feel the TMJ joint when you place your fingers in front of your ears on either side of your head and open and close your mouth.

This joint enables movement of your jaw when you eat, talk, and sing. It is one of the most commonly used joints in the body.

This disorder is a general term that refers to pain or discomfort in the temporomandibular joint area, which involves the jaw joint and the muscles surrounding it. If you’re looking for a temporomandibular joint disorder specialist, our TMJ doctors can help.

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Common causes 

  • Stress: This is the main cause of TMJ pain. Stress leads to habits like clenching and grinding your teeth which can cause muscle spasms. You may not even be aware you are doing this.
  • Diseases: Certain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can cause pain in the joints. In both these conditions, the cartilage is lost and the bone surface erodes away.
  • Injury to the jaw: Injury can lead to fracture of the condyle and disc displacement.
  • Oral habits: Oral habits such as Bruxism (night grinding of teeth) or clenching leads to muscle spasms.
  • Bad bite or Malocclusion: Misalignment of the teeth and jaws can cause problems in the way your teeth fit with each other and place the masticatory (chewing) muscles under stress.
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You may come across the following symptoms:

  • Dull, aching type of pain in the jaw
  • Difficulty in swallowing, biting, opening, and closing the mouth
  • Headache and dizziness
  • Clicking and popping sound on opening and closing the mouth
  • Pain in the ears
  • Stiffness in the jaw muscles
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It is diagnosed by asking questions about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history, and performing a physical examination. Imaging may be ordered in certain situations.

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TMJ Treatment in Houston

Most patients with this dysfunction are effectively treated with the following measures:

  • Osteopathic manipulative treatment
  • Mouth guards are suggested for eliminating the effects of clenching or grinding the teeth
  • Medications: Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants
  • Physical therapy
  • Orthodontic corrections
  • In rare cases, surgery may be recommended when all nonsurgical measures have failed
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Osteopath treatment for TMJ

Here are 3 reasons to speak to us

  • You thought it would go away on it’s own – but it didn’t
  • You are looking for credible healthcare alternatives – but just don’t know what is out there
  • You tried other Healthcare Professionals in the past, but nothing they said or did seemed to help

Click the link below to book a call with us if you would like to get some solid advice. Our goal is to help you make the right decision about what to do next.

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Neighborhoods

Montrose, River Oaks, Houston Heights, Midtown, Galleria-Uptown, Museum District, Upper Kirby, West University (West U), Bellaire, Memorial Village, EaDo (East Downtown), Heights, Tanglewood, Downtown Houston, Clear Lake, Kingwood, Spring Branch, Sharpstown, Alief, Cypresswood, Timber Grove, Oak Forest, Sunnyside, Gulfton, Braeswood Place, Woodlands, Lindale Park, Midtown, Greenway/Upper Kirby

Driving direction

Houston, TX, is centrally located in southeast Texas, easily accessible from multiple highways. If you’re driving to Houston from the north, take Interstate 45 South, which will bring you directly into the heart of the city. From the east, Interstate 10 West will take you toward downtown Houston, passing through key neighborhoods along the way. For those coming from the west, Interstate 10 East is the main route, leading straight into the city. If you’re approaching from the south, you can take Interstate 45 North, which also connects to the city’s central areas. Houston’s robust freeway system, including the 610 Loop and Beltway 8, offers convenient access to different parts of the city, with easy connections to surrounding suburbs like Bellaire, Kingwood, and Clear Lake. Make sure to account for possible traffic when navigating through peak hours, as Houston is known for its busy roads.

Frequently asked questions

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Do you prescribe medication or perform surgery?

Osteopathic care at our Houston clinic focuses on non-pharmacological, hands-on approaches. While Dr. Banik is a licensed physician who understands when medication or surgery may be necessary, her clinic emphasizes natural techniques that may reduce reliance on prescriptions or invasive procedures.

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What can I expect at my first appointment?

The first visit is an hour long, during which I take an extensive history to understand your unique situation. Then the rest of the time is spent performing osteopathic manipulative treatment. It is best if you wear loose, comfortable clothing for your treatments. Follow-up visits are half an hour.

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What is osteopathic care?

Osteopathic medicine combines the knowledge of a fully licensed physician (DO) with hands-on techniques designed to ease discomfort and support the body’s natural ability to move and function. Many of our Houston patients describe feeling more mobile and energized after sessions.

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