Interview with Renowned Doctor of Korean Medicine. -Chief of Institute of TMJ Integrative Medicine Dr. Young Jun Lee

1. Can you please introduce us what are TBM (Temporomandibular joint(TMJ) Balancing Medicine) and TMJ Balancing Therapy are? (What is the treatment of temporomandibular joint?)

TMJ Balancing Medicine(TBM) is a new term replacing the former term Cerebrospinal Functional Medicine (CFM). This refers to the therapeutic medicine, which identifies the Temporomandibular joints as the main joints that control the balance of the cerebrospinal, nervous system, meridian system, the brain and meridian muscles. Because multi-dimensional imbalance of the temporomandibular joint can be considered as the main culprit of the collapse of spine and nervous system structures of our body.
The treatment in Korean Medicine by stimulating the Temporomandibular joints started as early as the 12th century, since it accompanied with other therapies. The treatment was performed by making the patient bite a coin in his/her mouth (also known as the ‘Il Lip Keum’ therapy).

Dr. Young Jun Lee developed this classic method of treatment into the views of structural medicine in modern Korean Medicine, and systemized its checkups, diagnosis, evaluation methods in a whole new form to the extent of diagnosing and preventing not only common illnesses, but also chronic and incurable diseases. For these reasons, TBM aims to normalize the structural imbalances of the spine and nervous system that have close relationship with multi-dimensional imbalance of the Temporomandibular joint muscularly or neurologically.

However, in order to address the problem of imbalance, instead of turning to conventional methods such as acupuncture, cuppings, moxibustion, Korean medicinal herbs, etc., TBM finds the multi-dimensional balancing position that falls into the 7 balance factors of the TMJ(Jaw & temporomandibular joint) by using an intraoral balancing appliances (customized/standardized Temporomandibular Joints Posture Yin-Yang Balancing Appliance). For fast recovery, we make the spinal column aligned including the axis and we make the nervous system stabilized, through body posture training, basic stretching exercises, walking, jogging, etc. Therefore, TBM can be defined as a full body posture training in the field of therapeutic medicine, which seeks curing through balancing temporomandibular joints.

TMJ Balancing Therapy(TBT) is a name modified from the existing FCST (Dr. Lee’s Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy), and it is also known as TMJ Posture Yinyang Alignment Technique

This is a structural therapy in modern Korean medicine which has its theoretical basis on TMJ Balancing Medicine.
TMJ Balancing Therapy bases on the diagnosis-treatment of Korean Medicine, but at the same time, it utilizes intra-oral balancing appliances during TMJ and body’s postural training and exercising treatment. It determines the position of the temporomandibular joint as to enable the alignment of the spinal column, including the cervical vertebra. When doing so, the four balance position must match the four balancing points which are; the horizontal(horizontal balance), the right and left(sagittal balance), the forth and back(coronal balance), and the up and down(vertical balance). You must also fix your jaw while you maintain a straight posture in order to keep the balance between your temporomandibular joints and your spine.
Diagnostic methods to find the balance position of the TMJ are as follows : Cervical Palpation Test, Lateral Cervical Tension Test, Restricted Cervical Rotation Test, and Contact Reflex Analysis. Thus, TMJ Balancing Therapy enables various exercises including stretching the body while keeping your balance of temporomandibular joints, so that it can systematically diagnose and treat all kinds of diseases. Therefore, the TMJ Balancing Therapy can be defined as the structural medical treatment of Korean Medicine that coordinates the yin and yang balance of the body by balancing the temporomandibular joint, which aligns the axis and spine, stabilizes the nervous system, and aims natural healing of the mind and body.

2. Can you please explain to us the treatment mechanism of TBT ?

Temporomandibular joints are at the peak of controlling body structures and are the master key for solving disorders of body structures. Thus, the imbalance of temporomandibular joint has a special mechanism that acts as the key factor which triggers imbalance not only in the cranial structures but also in the vertebral columns, nervous systems, meridian systems, intestines. To summarize, it can be explained as follows. 

Most diseases start from malfunctioning of an organ or an intestine. Most of the diseases that occur due to malfunction, develop due to structural anomalies. Most of the causes that develop structural anomalies are basically occur due to anomalies of axis (subluxation, imbalances). But since most abnormalities in the axis are fundamentally caused by the imbalance of temporomandibular joint, the balancing treatment of Temporomandibular region should be the top priority to solve the structural and functional problems.”

In order to fully grasp this mechanism, we must fully understand that the axis is the most important vertebral bone where all muscles of the cervical spine and all spinal column segments, as well as the cranial muscles have connection directly or indirectly. Therefore, the structural imbalance of the axis causes the imbalance of all the structures connected by the related muscles, develops the problems of the related nervous system and the dysfunction of related organs and internal organs. However, since the balance or imbalance of the axis is also determined by the nervous system and the muscles connected to the temporomandibular joint, it must be highlighted that the balance of temporomandibular joint lies at the top as the major factor.

Thus, the TMJ Balancing therapy (or TMJ Balancing Medicine) mechanism can be summarized as “a systemized medical treatment to control body’s structures and functions which normalize the balance of the axis that is the core of the vertebral column through controlling the balance of temporomandibular joint.”

Because temporomandibular joint and tissues surrounding the joint are directly related to brain and motor nerves and are where all the meridian systems (spots) are linked together. Thus, here is a convenient area to observe the response of body after giving stimulus by changing various balance factors. If multi-dimensional alignment of TMJ position can be managed and the control of Yin-Yang balance can be managed; Yin-Yang balance of body can be managed which was imbalanced formerly and, cranial nerves & neck muscles, meridian systems, and whole spinal posture can be normalized.

3. Are the treatments effective?

The effect of TMJ Balancing Therapy, which has its basis on TMJ Balancing Medicine (TBM), is mostly immediate, since it can relax the 136 muscles that are controlled by 9 cranial nerves which are spread across the temporomandibular joint at the same time. This pertains to the neuromuscular relevance of the TMJ Balancing Therapy and the temporomandibular joint. 

Also, as the axis is the center of movements of the vertebral column, center of mandibular movements, and the center of rotational movements of the head; most of the suboccipital muscles connected to the axis are dominated by cranial nerves that encompass the temporomandibular joint. Therefore, the clinical use of standard or customized intra-oral balancing appliances are highly recommendable because they are safe to control multi-dimensional balance of TMJ, and the continuous alignment of the cervical spine and the spinal column can be managed when using these appliances.

That is not all. Since the TMJ is connected directly to sphenoidal bone and temporal bone by muscles and ligaments, it can move directly the occipital bone and the sphenoidal bone which protects the pituitary gland, it can move temporal bone, it enables ideal movement of cranium and respiration, it releases tension at dura mater of brain and spinal cord. This brings stability to the central nervous system and opens the obstructed passage of the foramen magnum, which is a passage between the brain and the trunk, allowing the ideal flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, it is an excellent treatment for most of the intractable diseases due to unidentified brain nervous system anomalies as well as psychiatric diseases.

4. What do you think is the competitiveness of Korean Medicine using the treatment of TBT?

TMJ Balancing Medicine and TMJ Balancing Therapy are treatments that make up for the lack of Structural Medicine, which was the weak point of Korean Medicine. Owing to this fact, there is a great chance of gaining competitiveness, not only in domestic medicine but also in global medicine. Since the major cause of the subluxated spine lies in the imbalanced TMJ due to the neuromuscular principles around the TMJ, just by meticulously balancing the joints multi-dimensionally through TMJ Balancing Medicine and TMJ Balancing Therapy the spinal column can be aligned to it`s ideal position. Therefore, it is believed that TMJ Balancing Therapy can maintain its superiority compared to any other treatment existent in the world.

Moreover, this treatment method is less dangerous, safe, consistent, convenient, and it can have a bright future. Because even the simple usage of the intra-oral balancing appliances by doing various exercises can correct the spine to its ideal position.

Also, habits related to temporomandibular joints, such as bruxism, grinding, snoring, sleep apnea, etc. have proven to be feasible to be improved quite easily through the use of standard intra-oral balancing appliances. This again is simple and safe compared to other treatments, and is much more relevant to the reasons to the habits, compared to other methods. 

To add on, by using the TMJ Balancing Therapy, it also offers a non-surgical solution to various cases of facial asymmetry where double jaw surgery is required. Therefore, I believe this treatment has the capacity to compete with any other therapeutic methods around the world. (Lots of cases that have proven this assertion can be found through the Youtube Channel, ‘YJ Care Clinic Dystonia Center.’

See : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRY4kdkYSPtsy6to4FEAaog/videos

5. How was the response of the professionals abroad when you first introduced TBT? Do you have plans to distribute this overseas?

TBT was introduced to overseas medical professionals through the invitational lecture on the Introduction of the Korean Medical Association of America in 2007 and 2008, Japanese Society of International Wago Medical Academy Invited Lecture in 2014, the Seoul ICAK(International College of Applied Kinesiology) in 2015 and the Invited Lectures by U.S Chiropractic Doctors, Dentists, Physical Therapists, Korean Medicine Doctors in 2018 and attracted a lot of attention. The FCST and TMJ Balancing Therapy that were already acknowledged as safe, convenient, and consistent, had once again proved its capabilities of holding limitless potentials. 

Another point that I would like to proudly present is that Doctor Young Jun Lee (Doctor of Korean Medicine, Doctor of Medicine) who has been conducting clinical researches for 30 years, has seen over 85% of success with the treatment of rare refractory diseases such as dystonia, tick & Tourette disorder, trigeminal neuralgia and fibromyalgia etc. If his work is backed up a little more theoretically, it is strongly believed that this TBM will be second to none even in a global scale.

See : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRY4kdkYSPtsy6to4FEAaog/videos

6. And what are your plans for distributing your therapies abroad?

The author who has systemized and developed TMJ Balancing Medicine and TMJ Balancing Therapy for 16 years (2004. 03~2016. 12) has also been endorsing clinical education targeted for health care providers throughout the years. From 2020, he is drawing a new plan to distribute this therapy to professionals abroad. First, for the theories he will adapt subtitles and voice over the contents of online videos in different languages, that have been originally made for health care providers in Korea. Then, to health care providers worldwide, he will be offering clinical education programs from 2 to 4 weeks where they can come directly to YJ Care Clinic Dystonia Center and learn techniques. Along with lectures conducted by Dr. Young Jun Lee, we are also planning to hire members of the Institute of TMJ Integrative Medicine and Institute of Integrative Medicine of the TMJ, who are capable of speaking foreign languages.