TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint located between the temporal bone and the mandible of the skull, where the articular disc acts as a cushion. If this disc is displaced forward or the masticatory muscles and ligaments around the joint become over-tense, a clicking sound occurs when opening the mouth; as this progresses, it leads to limited mouth opening and pain. Bruxism, excessive chewing habits, unilateral chewing, sleeping posture, and cervical spine misalignment also act as causes. Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective In Korean medicine, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a pathway through which two meridians responsible for digestive function and bile flow pass. If this flow is blocked, the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint do not receive sufficient nutrition, causing them to stiffen and their function to decline. In particular, if energy becomes stagnant due to stress, the muscle-relaxing function is blocked, preventing the masticatory muscles from relaxing; conversely, if heat accumulates in the stomach, an inflammatory reaction appears in the TMJ along the same pathway. At Dongjedang, we relieve tension in the masticatory muscles through acupuncture treatment targeting muscles and tendons. In cases of disc adhesion, we approach the problem by directly separating hardened fibrous tissue within the joint using needles with blade-shaped tips.