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If you are suffering from a TMJ-related disorder, you may be seeking an alternative to the pharmaceutical options available to you. Pharmaceutical treatments can be costly, and may produce adverse effects. As such, CBD oil could be worth your consideration for a natural and effective treatment for your pain and tension.
In this article, we’ll go over the basics, benefits, and some tips on product selection as well!
What Is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) joins the upper and lower jaw bones like a hinge, with a system of ligaments and muscle that allow it to do so.
Symptoms
This joint is prone to disorder, and unfortunately the exact cause is not completely known or understood. However, there are a number of symptoms that can indicate that you may be affected, including:
- Jaw muscle tenderness and pain
- Pain in the temporomandibular joint itself
- Immobility of the jaw
- Pain and tenderness throughout the face and behind the eyes
- Headaches, migraines, and earache
- Lockjaw
Causes
Some potential causes of TMJ disorders are an irregular bite, trauma to the jaw, or arthritis. However, it can be hard to diagnose. An irregular bite means that the teeth, jaw bones, and muscles are in constant stress trying to find a comfortable position.
What Are The Traditional Treatments For TMJ?
Teeth grinding and other similar irregular jaw movements can trigger TMJ disorders or aggravate an existing disorder. To treat this, a mouth guard-type device can be worn overnight so as to keep the jaw in the correct position. These can be specially prescribed by a medical professional, who will shape it to best suit your mouth.
Muscle relaxants such as Diazepam are also commonly used to relax the muscles and the tension in your jaw. This helps to relieve pain and prevent further damage.
Finally, typical pain relievers such as Advil or Nurofen are also traditional treatments to achieve short-term comfort.
What Is CBD Oil?
Scientifically known as cannabidiol, CBD oil is a naturally compound sourced from cannabis plants. As opposed to THC, another ingredient sourced from cannabis plants, CBD is not psychoactive. This means it affects only the body, and not the mind! In short, by itself CBD does not produce a euphoric high.
CBD oil can be applied straight to the skin, ingested, or vaporized for inhalation.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD works to ease muscle pain and tension much like a pain killer or muscle relaxant would. However, the key benefit for many people is that it is a natural alternative that can be grown organically. Pain relief can take effect just minutes after application of CBD oil straight to the skin.
What Is The Entourage Effect?
The entourage effect theory suggests that taking CBD alongside the psychoactive cannabis compound THC works on your endocannabinoid system to deliver stronger and wider-ranging effects.
Can CBD Help With TMJ?
CBD is highly effective in treating TMJ disorders because it is a natural muscle relaxant and relieves aches and pains. It also has the added benefit of not introducing dependencies and side effects that are common with pharmaceutical drugs.
Is CBD Safe To Use For TMJ?
Many people swear by the effects of CBD for pain relief, but there is limited research to entirely prove the efficacy and safety of the compound. Research on CBD effects is sparse due to the historic stigma around cannabis. However, some research from 2018 suggests that adverse effects are very moderate and short-term.
A 2009 study suggested that CBD has sure potential for pain relief, and should be investigated on a wider scale.
How To Find A Good CBD Product For TMJ
In order to find the best product for your needs, it’s recommended to consult a medical professional for advice. It is always best to start with a low dosage and work your way up as needed.
Topical and transdermal products, meaning those applied to the skin, are said to be the most effective as they come into direct contact with the pain-affected area.
Transparency
Companies producing CBD and other cannabis products are increasingly transparent about their processes and ingredients because of the recent push towards regulation of standards.
There are many pesticides and other harmful substances that can make their way into CBD products through the cannabis plant cultivation process, or during the manufacturing of the product itself.
Companies may agree to a series of regulatory standards; however, for the best assurance, look out for additional third-party testing certification.
Check For Third-Party Lab Tests
There is little to no regulation around CBD products on the market. Producers have set up mutually agreed upon standards, but these are not always trustworthy. Third-party lab tests are conducted by entities with no affiliation to the cannabis industry, meaning they can provide an impartial seal of approval to CBD products. These test for potency, additives, pesticides, and terpene levels, among other things. It is important to find products that have been third-party certified so as to ensure your user safety. Look for the official testing results on the company website or the certification stamp that should be present on the product label.
Review the Ingredients
Reviewing the ingredients of a product is straightforward, particularly if it has been third-party tested. This testing will reveal the ingredients present in this product, and the results should be transparently advertised on the company website. If a product is third-party test approved, it means that all the ingredients are up to the widely agreed upon industry standards.
Do A Reputation/Review Check
The best companies and products are widely endorsed by well-known figures, or have received positive reviews from medical professionals. Check out the best rated products lists on trusted sites, such as this one, from Medical News Today.
Do Direct Transactions
Some methods of transfer, such as PayPal, do not participate in the facilitation of the CBD. For this reason, direct transfers are often necessary. If you are dealing with a trusted company, you should feel confident in doing a direct transfer as required.
Conclusion
CBD oil is a great alternative to pharmaceutical treatments, if you are seeking a more natural and less expensive treatment.
In looking past the stigma of cannabis, you will find a mass of data literature to support the use of CBD for TMJ pain treatment, as well as other cannabis compounds which can be used in tandem for enhanced effects.
Just take care to follow our advice when it comes to finding certified products. Start at a low dosage, and most importantly, consult your doctor before venturing down this treatment path!
