The Temporomandibular Joint (The TMJ)

The Temporomandibular Joint is where your jaw bone (mandible) meets your temporal bone (part of your skull).   The TMJ is a unique joint in the body and along with the muscles involved in eating and talking and opening and closing the jaw, it is affected by excessive joint loading such as clenching during stress or due to poor head and neck posture and also due to poor occlusion (teeth malalignment).  The neck joints and muscles are also closely linked with the TMJ due to their joint and muscle connections as well as nerve pathways between the neck and lower brain.  These structures can cause pain and dysfunction in the face, neck and head leading to high levels of distress and anxiety.

Symptoms May Include

• Pain or discomfort over the TMJ, ear or side of face
• Clicking or locking of the jaw, and/or other joint noises such as crepitus or popping noises
• Limited jaw opening
• Toothache, pain in the mouth, tongue or hard palate
• Headache
• Tinnitus or altered hearing

Causes May Include

• Trauma, ie Whiplash or a direct blow to the jaw
• Clenching or grinding of the teeth (daytime and nighttime)
• Poor head and neck posture
• Teeth malalignment and orthodontics
• Stress
• Prolonged dental work

Cathy as part of the British delegation at the inaugural conference of the Dutch TMJ Physio Association