Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) refers to disorders involving the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jawbone to the skull. These joints allow essential movements such as chewing, talking, and yawning. When dysfunction occurs, it can result in pain, restricted movement, and clicking or popping sounds in the jaw.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJD
TMJD can present with a variety of symptoms, including:
1. Jaw Pain: Pain may be localized to the TMJ or radiate to the face, neck, and even shoulders.
2. Headaches: TMJD-related muscle tension can lead to frequent headaches, particularly around the temples or base of the skull.
3. Clicking or Popping Sounds*: Noises during jaw movement.
4. Restricted Range of Motion: Difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully.
5. Ear-Related Symptoms: Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), earache, or a sensation of fullness in the ears.
6. Facial Pain: Aching sensations in the cheeks, around the eyes, or along the jawline.
7. Neck and Shoulder Tension: TMJD often coincides with muscle tightness in the upper back, neck, and shoulders.
*Jaw Clicking & Popping
Clicking & popping can develop alongside other symptoms of TMJD. While clicking can be alarming, it is not evidence of the problem. These noises come directly from the articular disc in the joint which has no central innervation. In other words it is not a producer of pain. Hormonal or physiological changes can be responsible for the clicking. 60% of the population may have some kind of jaw clicking at some point in their life and the presence alone does not indicate dysfunction.
Common Causes
TMJD is multifactorial with various contributing factors, including:
● Bruxism (Teeth Grinding/Clenching): The number one contributing factor. Often linked to stress or anxiety, this habit places excessive pressure on the jaw.
● Muscle Imbalance: Overuse or tension in the jaw, neck, or head muscles.
● Poor Posture: Forward head posture or slouched shoulders can strain the TMJs. Tongue position may also be a factor that can lead to bruxism.
● Trauma or Injury: Impact to the jaw or whiplash from accidents.
● Dental Issues: Poorly fitting dental work.
● Stress: This can manifest physically, particularly in the jaw and neck.
● Systemic Factors: Arthritis or connective tissue disorders affecting the TMJs.
Self-Treatment Options
While professional help is often necessary, there are several self-care strategies to reduce TMJD symptoms and prevent flare-ups:
1. Jaw Exercises and Stretches
Gentle exercises can improve jaw mobility and relieve muscle tension. Examples include:
● Controlled Opening and Closing: Slowly open and close your jaw without straining while applying gentle pressure on either side of the jaw.
● Side-to-Side Movements: Slowly move your jaw from side to side within a comfortable range.
2. Posture Correction
Maintaining proper posture can alleviate strain on the TMJs. Focus on:
● Keeping your head aligned with your shoulders.
● Avoiding forward head posture while using computers or phones.
● Keeping your tongue on the roof of the mouth
3. Stress Management
Since stress is a common trigger for bruxism, techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help reduce tension.
4. Hot and Cold Therapy
● Apply a warm compress to relax tight muscles.
● Contrasting with cold pack to reduce inflammation if swelling is present.
5. Dietary Modifications
Avoid chewing gum or hard foods that exacerbate pain.
6. Jaw Awareness
Be mindful of clenching or grinding. If you catch yourself clenching during the day, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth to encourage relaxation.
7. Self Massage
Gentle massage of the muscles around the jaw and scalp.
Therapeutic Treatments
For persistent or severe TMJD, professional interventions can offer significant relief. Soft tissue therapy and other approaches are particularly effective in addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes.
1. TMJ Massage Therapy
Targeted massage can release tension in key muscles, including:
● Masseter and Temporalis: Primary chewing muscles often overworked in TMJD.
● Suboccipital Muscles: Located at the base of the skull, these muscles can contribute to headaches and jaw tension.
● Pterygoid Muscles: Deep muscles inside the jaw that often require intraoral massage.
2. Manual Osteopathic Therapy Treatment (MOT)
Osteopathic therapists use hands-on techniques to realign the TMJs, improve joint function, and address postural imbalances.
3. Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy focuses on subtle movements of the cranial bones and surrounding tissues. By relieving restrictions around the TMJ, this approach can reduce pain and improve function.
4. RAPID NeuroFascial Reset
RAPID is a type of massage that treats aches and pains by focusing on the nerves rather than muscle tissue. It’s a lotion-free technique, so the client remains clothed, and the treatment is movement-based to encourage the client to perform active motion.
The purpose of RAPID is to reset nerve hypersensitivity back to neutral. The high intensity of the technique along with the client’s active movements allows the body to downgrade pain and reprogram sensory information processed by the brain
5. Other Modalities
Physiotherapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture can also help alleviate or eliminate symptoms.
Dental Support
A dentist may recommend a custom mouthguard or other corrective devices to prevent wear and tear and protect the teeth from breaking. This is an important factor although mouthguards don’t always prevent jaw clenching or TMJD.
When to Seek Professional Help
While many TMJD symptoms can be managed at home, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience:
● Severe or worsening pain.
● Persistent jaw locking.
● Symptoms that interfere with eating, speaking, or sleeping.
● Ear-related issues that don’t resolve with self-care.
TMJD is a complex condition requiring a holistic approach to treatment. Self-care strategies such as posture correction, stress management, and gentle exercises can provide significant relief. However, for long-term results, professional therapeutic interventions may be necessary. By addressing the root causes and working collaboratively with skilled practitioners, people with
TMJD can find lasting relief and regain comfort in their daily lives.
By Eleanor Baldwin RMT | MOT | RAPID NFR Specialist | TMJ Therapist
Eleanor Baldwin
RMT, Manual Osteopathic Therapist and Rapid Neurofascial Reset Practitioner
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