Temporomandibular joint pain
What is Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain?
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ):
The TMJ is a small joint just in front of your ear that connects the jaw to the skull. We have one of these joints on each side of our face. It is a modified hinge type of synovial joint which allows you to open and close your mouth. Movements include elevation, depression, protrusion, retraction, and lateral movements of the jaw.
TMJ pain:
TMJ pain comes in a variety of presentations. Below are just some of the symptoms associated with TMJ dysfunction or injury,
- Stiffness or locking sensations
- Discomfort around the joint and referred into the jaw, especially when eating
- Aching around the joint and the ear
- Pain in the side of the jaw
- Clicking or grating feeling in the jaw
- Throbbing in the TMJ
What causes TMJ pain:
TMJ pain can be caused by injury, degeneration or other associated physiological structures. Below is a list of just some of the potential causes,
- Degeneration/ wear and tear (osteoarthritis)
- Jaw clenching and grinding
- Stress
- Injury
- Sustained positions and pressure on the joint (for example sleeping awkwardly on the joint
- Neck and cranial issues (for example, postural issues)
- Systemic issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia
How we may treat it.
- Diagnose the cause of the pain and what area is the likely cause of your TMJ pain or discomfort
- Carefully choose which methods of treatment will suit your particular symptoms
- Specialised hands on therapy and soft tissue techniques to target the source of your pain
- Restoration of movement and function to the TMJ
- Home exercise program to alleviate and treat the issue
- Monitor symptoms in order to ensure it does not return
- Prescribe exercises to prevent it happening again and follow up advice to keep symptoms at bay
