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Is the connection between earaches, TMJ, neck pain, andheadaches?
The short answer is YES.
If you’ve been dealing with chronic earaches, neck pain, andheadaches and you’ve also been told that you have a TMJ problem,then let me ask you:
Have you had your atlas and axis checked?
Maybe you have already seen your GP, a dentist, a chiropractor,a physiotherapist, or even an ENT to find out the cause andconnection between your earaches, TMJ, neck pain, andheadaches.
If you have already had x-rays, CTs, or MRIs, it can beespecially frustrating if the tests come back saying that,“Everything is normal” even though clearly, if you are experiencingall these problems, things are certainly NOTnormal.
If so, it is even more important that you have your atlas andaxis checked, because they may well be the missingpiece to the puzzle to help you experiencing relief from yourearaches and TMJ pain.
How does the C1 and C2 Vertebrae affect TMJ pain andearaches?
The atlas is another name for the first cervical vertebra inyour neck (C1), and the axis is another name for the secondvertical vertebra (C2).
The atlas supports the weight of your skull (3-5Kg) and allowsyou to nod your head. The axis is the pivot point below the C1vertebra that allows you to turn your head,
But what does this have to do with earaches and TMJpain?
There are several important links between the alignment andmotion between your upper neck and your TMJ.
- Location - The tips of the C1 vertebraextend to the side of your neck only 1cm sidewards from your TMJ.If the vertebra shifts forward especially, it may irritate some ofthe muscles and ligaments that are located directly behind yourjaw, which can cause TMJ pain.
- Motion - The central axis that allowsyour TMJ to move is actually the centre of the C2 vertebra. If themotion in your upper neck is restricted, it can affect how your TMJmoves, causing it also to misalign or even degenerate. If the jawshifts backward, it can actually depress on the opening betweenyour ear and the auditory canal into your skull, which may beassociated with earaches and TMJ pain.
- Muscles - The muscles that control themovement of your jaw are influenced by the cluster of nerve cellslocated from the base of your brainstem that descends into yourneck down to the level of C2. If these nerve supply to thesemuscles are affected, it can cause muscle tightness, which affectshow your jaw moves. Abnormal TMJ movement can contribute towardsgrinding or clenching your teeth, lockjaw, or pain and tendernesswhen you open and close your mouth.
- Nerves - The sensory nerves that receiveinformation from the back of your head, face, jaw, and neck alltransmit through the C1-C2-C3 areas of your upper neck. If there isimpingement, tension, or irritation to these nerves, they may wellcontribute or even cause problems such as headaches, neck pain,face pain, trigeminal neuralgia, migraines, fibromyalgia, TMJ pain,or also earaches.
In brief, there is a physical relationship between the upperpart of your neck - the C1 and C2 vertebra - and the normal healthand function of your TMJ.
Therefore, a problem with the alignment or movementin the upper part of your neck may well contribute towards earachesand TMJ pain.
A novel approach for treatment with Earache and TMJpain
When it comes to treatment for earaches, TMJ pain, neck pain,and headaches, there are a number of different options includinghead, neck, and jaw physiotherapists, chiropractors, GP's,dentists, and also TMJ specialists.
One thing that can be especially frustrating for so many peopleexperiencing these issues is that they do all thethings they are supposed to, but still don’t experience the reliefthey are looking for.
They take the medications.
They do the exercises.
They do the treatment … but unfortunately, the problems arestill there.
In truth, no one has it all 100% figured out when it comes totreatment for earaches and TMJ problems. If they did, everyBrisbane specialist would be doing the same procedure with 100%success.
Nevertheless, just because one option may not work for you doesnot mean that there is no option.
It is for this reason that I want to describe a novel approachto treatment with earaches and TMJ problems that is stillrelatively uncommon in Brisbane and even across Australia.
It is called Blair upper cervical chiropractic care.
Blair upper cervical care for people with Earaches andTMJ pain
Blair upper cervical care is a special division of chiropracticdeveloped and researched in the USA.
The focus is on the alignment of the upper vertebrae in yourneck - the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) because of their relationshipon the health of your brain, nerve system, and entire body.
When the top vertebrae are aligned, Blair upper cervicalchiropractic doctors believe that your body is able to functionproperly.
However, if these vertebrae are not aligned, they can negativelyaffect the flow of impulses to-and-from your body, resulting indecreased health and symptoms that may include earaches, TMJproblems, neck pain, headaches, etc.
Unlike general spinal manipulation, a Blair upper cervicalchiropractic correction does not involve any twisting, cracking, orpopping.
I will repeat it: no cracking.
The key point of difference is the nature of the diagnostictests that a Blair upper cervical chiropractor uses in order todetermine just the right type of care for you.
First, your chiropractic doctor performs a series of testsassessing the health of your physical body including your jaw andface, and also the health of your nerve system.
If a problem is identified originating from your upper neck, aBlair chiropractic doctor performs a series of specialised x-raysthat allow us to see the exact direction and degree of misalignmentin your neck.
And these are not simply the standard x-ray, CT, or even MRIviews that you have taken at a standard radiologyfacility.
You see, those views are all taken from stock angles: from thefront, side, and horizontally. However, humans arethree-dimensional beings with unique bone structures.
As we are all different on the outside, so too are wedifferent on the inside.
The views that a Blair chiropractic doctor requests or takes arecustom-tailored just for you based on your unique bone structure.Thus, but following a precision-based approach, we are able toidentify a great number of problems that have not been previouslydiagnosed, and thus not treated!
Because when you have the right information, it may offer adifferent approach to accomplishing the outcomes that you have beensearching for for so long.
Where can I find a Blair upper cervical chiropracticdoctor to help with my Earaches and TMJ pain?
At the time of this writing (2020), there are still very fewBlair upper cervical chiropractic doctors in Australia.
A grand total of FIVE.
A board-certified Blair upper cervical chiropractic doctor willhave accomplished post-doctoral studies beyond the normaluniversity degree and will have also passed a certification examthrough the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society, currentlybased in the USA.
(That is why there are so few.)
Also at the time of this writing, our practice, Atlas HealthAustralia, os the premier Blair upper cervical healthcare centrenot only in Brisbane but across Queensland, Australia and NewZealand.
Our principal chiropractic doctor is Dr. Jeffrey Hannah,who is Advanced Certified in the Blair technique and serves on theBoard of Directors for the Blair Society, Intl. He is aninternational lecturer, instructor, author, speaker and recognisesleader int eh field of upper cervical specific chiropractic careworldwide.
Serving in this role, he also knows personally every other Blairupper cervical chiropractic doctor in Australia who have eithertrained alongside or with him directly.
So if you are seeking help in resolving your earaches, TMJ pain,neck pain, and headaches, we would be honoured to have yourconsideration.
At Atlas Health, our focus is in helping people experiencingchronic health conditions - including earaches and TMJ problems whohave been everyone - so that they can health and start enjoying thequality of life that they desire once more.
Our practice is located in North Lakes (north Brisbane) and seesclients from across the greater Brisbane and SE Queensland region,including many people who travel interstate andinternationally.
Dr. Hannah also offers a complementary 15-minute phoneconsultation so that you can discuss the nature of your conditionand ask any questions that you may have also that you candecide in advance if care may be right for you.
Our practice number is 07 3188 9329. Simply give us a ring, andwe would be happy to arrange a consultation.
Alternatively, you can click the Contact Us,and we will be sure to return your message a soon as possible.
We appreciate your time and consideration and hope that you havefound this article to be both informative and valuable.
We look forward to working with you, and we will do our best toassist you.
Atlas Health Australia - “Hope, healing, and wellbeingfrom above-down, inside-out.”
References
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Delgado de la Serna P, Plaza-Manzano G, Cleland J,Effects of Cervico-Mandibular Manual Therapy in Patientswith Temporomandibular Pain Disorders and AssociatedSomatic Tinnitus: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Pain Med. 2019Oct 29. pii: pnz278. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnz278. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31665507
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Greenbaum T, Dvir Z, Reiter S, Winocur E. Cervicalflexion-rotation test and physiological range of motion - Acomparative study of patients with myogenic temporomandibulardisorder versus healthy subjects. Musculoskelet SciPract. 2017 Feb;27:7-13. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2016.11.010. Epub 2016 Dec 11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28637604
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Häggman-Henrikson B, Rezvani M, List T. Prevalence of whiplashtrauma in TMD patients: a systematic review. J Oral Rehabil. 2014Jan;41(1):59-68. doi: 10.1111/joor.12123. Epub 2013 Dec30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24443899
Kim JR, Jo JH, Chung JW, Park JW.Upper cervical spine abnormalities as a radiographicindex in the diagnosis and treatmentof temporomandibular disorders. Oral Surg Oral Med OralPathol Oral Radiol. 2019 Oct 25. pii: S2212-4403(19)31536-6.doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2019.10.004. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31780398
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Losert-Bruggner B, Hülse M, Hülse R. Fibromyalgia in patientswith chronic CCD and CMD - a retrospective study of 555 patients.Cranio. 2017 Jun 5:1-9. doi: 10.1080/08869634.2017.1334376. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28580880
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