Jaw Pain

Jaw Pain - (Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction)

Symptoms:

• Pain or discomfort on biting or chewing
• Clicking, popping, or grinding noises when opening or closing the mouth
• Dull, achey pain in the face or jaw
• Earache
• Headache
• Neck pain or restriction
• Tenderness of the jaw
• Locking or restriction of the jaw
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth

TMJ disorders are problems that affect the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. The TMJ is located adjacent to the ear so this can feel like earache.  

TMJ Dysfunction can be cause by:

• Bad bite or orthodontic braces,
• Stress and tooth grinding.
• Poor posture can also be an important factor in TMJ symptoms. For example, holding the head forward while looking at a computer all day strains the muscles of the face and neck.
• Many people end up having "trigger points." These are contracted muscles in your jaw, head, and neck. Trigger points can refer pain to other areas, causing a headache, earache, or toothache.

When TMJD is diagnosed, treatment will include soft tissue therapy and treatment of the joint itself. Your practitioner will always discuss treatment with you and talk you through the treatment they are administering. Treatment will importantly include the neck. Exercises are an important component of successfully treating TMJD and these will be included in your therapy.

If you are suffering from Jaw pain / TMJD call our clinic today.