Did you know that the team here at my sports chiropractor can help with your jaw pain? Whether its one of our amazing chiropractors or incredible massage therapist we are equipped with the skills and knowledge to help manage your jaw related pain.

 

What is TMJ Dysfunction?

The jaw joint also known as the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull, located just in front of each ear. This joint allows you to chew, speak, and make facial expressions. When the TMJ is not functioning properly, it can lead to pain, discomfort and even headaches. This is known as TMJ dysfunction (TMJD) which simply refers to a group of conditions affecting the jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement.

 

 

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Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction:

TMJ dysfunction can present a variety of symptoms, which may include:

• Jaw pain or tenderness, especially when chewing or speaking.
• Aching pain in and around the ear.
• Difficulty or discomfort while opening or closing the mouth.
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when moving the jaw.
• Headaches, particularly in the temples.
• Neck and shoulder pain.
• Locking of the jaw, making it difficult to open or close the mouth.
• Asymmetrical jaw/mouth movement
• Ringing in the ears, dizziness and sometimes impaired hearing

 

Types of TMJ Dysfunction:

There are main types of TMJ dysfunction (TMJD) which can be divided into 3 different groups:

1. Muscle dysfunction: pain generated by tight or overworked muscles around the jaw usually from excessive clenching/grinding of the teeth

 

2. Joint dysfunction: either from joint degeneration (arthritis), a displaced TMJ disc, dislocation and/or excessive joint movement (hypermobility)

 

3. Headache attributed to TMJD: usually felt around the temple region – related to the jaw’s movement e.g. chewing and is reproduced by pressing into the surrounding muscles

 

 

Image Courtesy of Dr Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

 

The Causes of TMJ Dysfunction:

The exact cause of TMJ dysfunction is often difficult to determine, but several factors may contribute to its development. Some common causing include:

• Constant teeth grinding or clenching: Often linked to stress and anxiety, these habits can put excessive pressure on the TMJ and lead to excessively tight muscles around the jaw
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the TMJ
• Orthodontic issues and previous dental work: May result in misalignment of the teeth or jaw and can contribute to TMJ problems. In some cases infections around mouth/teeth can also result in pain.
• Jaw injury: Trauma to the jaw, head, or neck can lead to TMJ dysfunction e.g. fracture or dislocations
• Referred pain: Pain around the TMJ could also be coming from the neck, shoulders, surrounding nerves and less commonly the heart

 

 

How can we help?

The team here at My Sports Chiropractor can offer treatments to help manage TMJ dysfunction such as:

• Postural retraining exercises
• Education and lifestyle modification advice
• Soft tissue release techniques
• TMJ joint mobilisations
• Spinal joint mobilisations/manipulations
• Dry needling
• Self-rehabilitation plan

 

Keep an eye out for Part 2, as next blog I’ll be going through some exercises and self-release techniques to help you relieve and manage your jaw pain at home.

Chris Lamacchia

 

References: 

List, T. and R. H. Jensen (2017). “Temporomandibular disorders: Old ideas and new concepts.” Cephalalgia 37(7): 692-704. 2)

Whyte, A., et al. (2021). “Imaging of the temporomandibular joint.” Clinical Radiology 76(1): 76.e21-76.e35. 3)

Beaumont, S., et al. (2020). “Temporomandibular Disorder: a practical guide for dental practitioners in diagnosis and management.” Australian Dental Journal 65(3): 172-180. Li DTS, Leung YY. Temporomandibular Disorders: Current Concepts and Controversies in Diagnosis and Management. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021 Mar 6;11(3):459

www.healthdirect.gov.au/temporomandibular-joint-dysfunction