Acupuncture Clinic Services

TMJ Treatment in Greenville, SC

TMJ Treatment at IHP Greenville — expert acupuncture for chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues. Dr. Hendry, DAOM. Call (864) 365-6156.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders produce jaw pain, clicking, limited mouth opening, and referred pain to the head, neck, and ear. At Integrative Health Partners, Dr. Hendry treats TMJ disorders using a combination of acupuncture (for masticatory muscle relaxation and joint inflammation), dry needling of the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles, and functional medicine assessment for the systemic inflammation and bruxism contributors.

How TMJ Treatment Works

TMJ treatment combines local acupoints at ST6, ST7, GB2, TW21 (around the TMJ) with dry needling of the masseter and temporalis trigger points that generate the referred head and jaw pain. Auricular acupuncture at jaw, cervical, and nervous system points addresses the neural sensitization component. Moxibustion is used for chronic cold-type TMJ.

Conditions Treated with TMJ Treatment

Your First Appointment

Describe your TMJ symptoms: pain location (joint vs. muscle), clicking or popping, morning pain vs. end-of-day worsening, and jaw range of motion limitations. History of bruxism, orthodontic work, and dental procedures is relevant.

Why Dr. Hendry for TMJ Treatment

Dr. Hendry's trigger point expertise in the masticatory muscles is combined with his understanding of the neurological connection between TMJ disorders, cervical dysfunction, and headache — treating the whole pain network rather than the joint in isolation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — multiple systematic reviews confirm acupuncture reduces TMJ pain, improves mouth opening, and decreases masticatory muscle tenderness. A 2020 review in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found acupuncture comparable to splint therapy for TMJ pain.
Yes — masseter and temporalis trigger points are among the most common drivers of jaw pain and headache. Dry needling produces immediate trigger point deactivation and pain reduction.
6–12 sessions for most TMJ presentations. Complex or longstanding TMJ with significant structural changes may require ongoing management.
Yes — bruxism (teeth grinding) and jaw clenching are strongly stress-driven. Dr. Hendry addresses the stress component with auricular acupuncture and may recommend herbal medicine for anxiety and sleep.
Both — a dentist can assess structural and occlusal factors and fit a night guard. Acupuncture addresses the muscular, neural, and inflammatory drivers that the night guard alone cannot resolve. Dr. Hendry actively coordinates with dental teams for TMJ patients.
Integrative Health Partners, 319 Wade Hampton Blvd, Ste A, Greenville, SC 29609. Call (864) 365-6156.

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