TMJ Disorder

TMJ is prone to recurrence if structural damage is not fully recovered or if triggering factors such as lifestyle habits and stress persist. In particular, if teeth grinding is not controlled, the joint will be subjected to load again even after treatment. To prevent recurrence, wearing a mouthguard, correcting posture, managing stress, and regular maintenance therapy are necessary. It is important to complete the initial treatment sufficiently before moving on to maintenance therapy.

Perspective of a Korean Medicine Clinic

In Korean medicine, recurrence occurs when only the outwardly manifested symptoms are treated without addressing the root cause. If stagnation of energy and heat in the stomach remain as the root cause, the meridians will become blocked again even if there is temporary improvement through external treatment. At Dongjedang, we aim to alter the environment for recurrence itself by restoring gastrointestinal balance and releasing vital energy using constitution-tailored herbal medicine, even after acute pain has subsided. In cases of bruxism, combining maintenance therapy that suppresses masticatory muscle overactivation with acupuncture and pharmacopuncture, along with a nighttime mouthguard, can extend the recurrence cycle.