There's A Connection Between TMJ and Sleep Disorders

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are like two hinges on each side of your jaw, connecting the jaw to the skull. These hinges allow you to open your mouth, talk, chew, and do any activity requiring movement of your jaw. More than 44 people in the United States alone suffer from some level of TMJ pain. 

Of the 44 million TMJ sufferers, 40 million of them have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder as well. It is not uncommon for the problems to go hand in hand. 

What Causes TMJ?

TMJ is often due to a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. This is the uppermost part of the spine that runs through the neck—when the vertebrae in the neck are misaligned due to poor posture, an accident, or rough activities, it causes a domino effect throughout the musculoskeletal system, putting strain and stress on other joints. 

How TMJ Disorder Interferes with Sleep

Sufferers of TMJ pain typically grind their teeth in their sleep. This grinding is bad for the temporomandibular joints and the teeth and generally makes jaw pain worse. This jaw pain can be bad enough to wake you out of sound sleep or keep you on the lighter surface of sleep so that you're not getting proper rest. 

Often, TMJ pain is caused by the jaw joints being misaligned. This can cause your airway to be obstructed when you fall asleep. For some people, this results in snoring, breathing problems, and sleep apnea (when you temporarily stop breathing). These problems can also keep you from entering the deeper stages of sleep. 

Sleep apnea is particularly dangerous, increasing your risk of abnormal heartbeats, lower blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. 

How We Treat TMJ Patients to Help with Sleep Disorders

Our goal is to get at the root of the problem so that we can alleviate the pain of TMJ dysfunction and relieve sleep disorders. We do this by offering a natural, non-invasive, drug-free treatment plan that involves correcting misalignments of the upper cervical spine.

Dr. Gordon Elder is our upper cervical spine specialist at the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Elder is a practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern technique that combines gentle hands-on care with highly advanced technology. 

Dr. Elder begins his treatment with an in-depth health screening. Included in this screening are 3D diagnostic imaging tools to help him best assess your unique anatomy. 

The second step of Dr. Elder's treatment is the healing phase. Due to superior scanning, he can make exact adjustments with precision. This allows him to use a gentle touch that does not involve the jarring twists and jerks associated with traditional chiropractic techniques. 

Once the upper cervical spine's proper alignment is restored, the strain is removed from the rest of the musculoskeletal system and the body can begin healing and correcting itself. This should relieve TMJ pain and result in improved sleep at night.

A final step of Dr. Elder's treatment plan is ongoing preventative care to ensure the spine remains in a healthy state. 

If you're suffering from TMJ pain and sleep disorders, contact Dr. Elder for more information. Our areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Managing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's: How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Can Help

Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are two neurodegenerative disorders that affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, as well as pose challenges for their caregivers. While there is no cure for Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, various treatment approaches aim to manage symptoms and slow disease progression. One such alternative therapy is upper cervical chiropractic care, which offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to support individuals with these conditions. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care for managing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Understanding Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Parkinson's disease, on the other hand, primarily affects the motor system, leading to tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. Both conditions involve the degeneration of specific brain areas and disruptions in neuronal communication.

The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the uppermost vertebrae in the neck, known as the atlas (C1), and the central nervous system. This specialized branch of chiropractic care emphasizes the alignment and optimal function of the atlas vertebra, which houses the brainstem, a critical pathway for neural communication. By ensuring proper alignment and movement of the atlas, upper cervical chiropractic care aims to improve overall nervous system function and restore balance within the body.

Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Enhances Nervous System Function: The nervous system plays a vital role in regulating cognitive function, movement, and coordination. Misalignments or subluxations in the upper cervical spine can interfere with neural pathways, potentially contributing to the progression of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Upper cervical chiropractic adjustments aim to correct these misalignments, improving nervous system function and facilitating optimal communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Reduces Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is believed to be a contributing factor in neurodegenerative diseases. Research suggests that upper cervical chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation by alleviating stress on the nervous system and promoting better immune system function. By reducing inflammation, the progression of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may be slowed, providing individuals with a better quality of life.

Alleviates Pain and Discomfort: Individuals with Parkinson's disease may experience muscle stiffness, joint pain, and discomfort. Upper cervical chiropractic adjustments can help relieve tension in the neck and spine, potentially reducing pain and discomfort associated with these conditions. Moreover, by improving spinal alignment, upper cervical chiropractic care may positively influence the nervous system's pain processing mechanisms.

Supports Overall Well-being: Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can significantly impact an individual's emotional and mental well-being. Upper cervical chiropractic care takes a holistic approach to health by addressing physical, emotional, and mental aspects. Through adjustments and related therapies, this type of care may help reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being.

Complements Conventional Treatment: Upper cervical chiropractic care is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Instead, it can complement existing therapies by providing additional support in managing symptoms and improving overall health. Integrating upper cervical chiropractic care into a comprehensive treatment plan may offer a more holistic approach to the management of these neurodegenerative diseases.

Upper cervical chiropractic care offers a potential adjunctive approach for managing the symptoms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. By focusing on the alignment and function of the atlas vertebra, this specialized chiropractic technique aims to optimize nervous system function, reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and support overall well-being. It is essential for individuals with these neurodegenerative diseases to work closely with their healthcare team to determine if upper cervical chiropractic care is a suitable addition to their comprehensive treatment plan.

How We Help with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Maintaining the health and alignment of your upper cervical spine contributes significantly towards relieving stress on joints, muscles, and ligaments across your body. This practice enhances mobility and coordination while promoting nerve functionality. It is particularly beneficial for managing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease symptoms, thereby boosting overall quality of life.

With his extensive expertise in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, Dr. Gordon Elder of Blair Chiropractic Clinic employs this method, which prioritizes upper cervical health by leveraging state-of-the-art 3D imaging tools to evaluate individual anatomical differences accurately.

Dr. Elder identifies any spinal misalignments and uses precise, low-pressure adjustments to restore the spine's healthy alignment. This method stands apart from traditional chiropractic techniques, which often involve abrupt movements. Blair practitioners, like Dr. Elder, adopt a more gentle and comfortable approach to treatment.

Many patients experience immediate relief after the first corrective procedure. The benefits keep multiplying as the body commences its healing process after the corrections. During subsequent visits, Dr. Elder ensures the alignments are maintaining their position.

In addition to immediate treatments, Dr. Elder advises regular chiropractic check-ups as part of a preventative care strategy to address potential issues before they escalate.

Should you be receiving treatment for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson's disease, you may want to consider incorporating chiropractic care into your healthcare regimen. Dr. Elder provides his services in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso, Texas, as well as Hobbs, New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.