If your jaw hurts, clicks or clunks we're talking about your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The jaw or TMJ is a common cause of facial pain. Up to 30% of the population suffer from this condition but many never seek treatment. Issues with the jaw can be responsible for a host of other musculoskeletal complaints like headaches, migraines and neck pain. Many people don't realise that relief from physical therapy is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does the TMJ do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The TMJ joint is a hinge joint with a small disc within the joint. It connects the jaw (mandible) to the skull. Small muscles that help us chew (masticatory muscles) also help to open and closes your lower jaw. The TMJ allows us to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

• Speak<\/li>
• Eat and chew<\/li>
• Make facial expressions<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

   <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  What causes pain in the jaw?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  Some of these symptoms can be due to structural problems like tight muscles or an injury where the jaw was traumatised by impacts, such as getting kicked in soccer, falling over and knocking your chin, or dental procedures which may leave you to chew on one side of the mouth, or have your mouth open for a prolonged amount of time, even chewing gum too much can cause TMJ dysfunction. Other times the root cause may be emotional stress, nutrient deficiencies, and postural issues. Some patients who have autoimmune arthritic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis may be predisposed to having their TMJ affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Who is affected?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  • Both men and women can be affected but women<\/strong> tend to experience issues with the jaw more than men<\/li>
  • Recent accident- this includes injury to the head<\/strong> as well as anywhere else in the body<\/li>
  • Recent dental work<\/strong>– wisdom teeth extraction, crowns, root canals or fillings<\/li>
  • Postural issues: poor posture<\/strong>, holding the phone between the ear and shoulder, leaning on your chin on your hand<\/li>
  • Those affected by autoimmune arthritis or have a family history of arthritis<\/li>
  • Recent surgery where intubation has been required<\/li>
  • Scuba divers due to the mouthpiece of your breathing apparatus<\/li>
  • Hormones<\/strong> and hormone replacement therapy may also play a role in TMJ dysfunction<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Some common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When the TMJ is affected by pain or injury these two pretty mundane tasks can become awkward and painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Locking of the jaw: locking open or jamming shut<\/li>
    • Not able to clench down on your back molars<\/li>
    • Pain and tenderness in the jaw at rest or whilst chewing<\/li>
    • Clicking<\/li>
    • Grinding sounds (crepitus)<\/li>
    • The jaw not tracking evenly when opening<\/li>
    • Difficulty speaking because your jaw won't open enough<\/li>
    • Difficulty eating and chewing or pain after eating hard foods<\/li>
    • Pain yawning<\/li>
    • Grinding the teeth at night (bruxism)<\/li>
    • Constant clenching of the jaw leading to a bulking of the muscles at the side of your cheeks<\/li>
    • Pain after dental work where you've had your jaw open for a prolonged period of time<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      The jaw can also refer pain elsewhere. Here's how else your TMJ pain may present:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      • TMJ headaches and migraines particularly around the cheek and eye- dull, sharp or stabbing pain<\/li>
      • Inner ear pain<\/li>
      • The sensation of a blocked ear<\/li>
      • Sinus issues<\/li>
      • A toothache<\/li>
      • Pain around the base of the skull and front of the neck<\/li>
      • Pain on swallowing<\/li>
      • Dint marks from your molars on the sides of your tongue<\/li>
      • Ringing in the ears like tinnitus<\/li>
      • Dizziness<\/li>
      • Avoiding eating hard foods due to pain on chewing<\/li>
      • Wearing down of your teeth<\/li>
      • Waking with a sore face in the morning due to clenching or bruxism<\/li>
      • Pressure and pain in the base of the skull after orgasm- post-coital headache<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        \n