Q Suddenly my mouth won't open well and my jaw feels locked. What should I do right now?
A Sudden jaw locking (limited mouth opening) is an emergency. Don't force it open; apply heat therapy and visit a Korean medicine clinic or oral and maxillofacial surgery as soon as possible.
Detailed Answer
Sudden jaw locking (closed lock) is a state in which the disc inside the joint has slipped forward and is blocking the joint. Forcing the mouth open damages the ligaments and disc further. Apply a warm towel for 10 to 15 minutes, then drink lukewarm water to relax the tension, and receive professional care immediately.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, in the acute stage we immediately apply acupuncture to the acupoints around the jaw to release the muscles that have gone into spasm. Releasing the adhered area helps the range of mouth opening recover quickly. Once the urgent stage has passed, we add Chuna and herbal medicine and move on to a recurrence-prevention stage that stabilizes the body's overall tension and circulation.
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