TMJ Or Jaw pain
What is TMJ or Jaw pain?
What causes TMJ to flare up?
What can I do to help my TMJ pain?
TMJ treatment?

What is a TMJ or Temporomandibular joint?

The TMJ is one of the commonly used joint in the entire body. It is used in eating, breathing, talking, yawning, kissing and so many everyday activities. The masseter is arguably the strongest muscle in the human body, which is one of the primary muscles involved in mastication (chewing) and can generate up to an average of 200lbs of force. And yet, the TMJ is one of the least frequently areas treated in the body.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction refers to a group of conditions usually affecting the muscles of mastication or the temporomandibular joint itself.

What can cause TMJ dysfunction?

1: Masticatory muscle disorders which can cause pain when performing daily activities such as speaking or swallowing as one of the most common symptoms.

2: Derangement of the condyle disc complex arises due to a breakdown rotational function of the disc. Then popping and clicking sounds are produced.

3: Deviation caused from aging or degeneration of the condyle, disc, or fossa causing decreased movement or dysfunction.

4: Subluxation and dislocations can occur when the condyle moves in front of the articular eminence.

5: Inflammation disorders such as osteoarthritis or arthritis.

6: Growth disorders may affect the bones or muscles of the TMJ

7: Trauma to the neck, jaw, or head such as whiplash from a motor vehicle accident, getting punched, surgery, fractures

8: Indirect trauma from keeping the mouth open for too long, often when having teeth worked on at the dentist.

9: Habits such as smoking, chewing gum, sports that involve wearing a mouth guard, playing wind instruments and other habits or hobbies may cause overuse issues ¹⁶.

10: Stress, which can cause you to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth 5 .

Did you see our post on the Whiplash Associated Disorders or WAD? Here follow the link it is another interesting read- https://www.willowwellnessphysio.ca/what-is-a-whiplash-injury-and-how-is-it-treated/

Fun Fact: normal range of motion in opening of the mouth is 35-55mm (3.5-5.5cm). “Normally, only about 25 to 35mm of opening is needed in everyday activity” ⁶

What are the symptoms of the TMJ dysfunction? ^3,10,14,16

1: Pain radiation to the ear, jaw, or posterior cervical region and is aggravated by movements of the jaw

2: Tenderness on palpation of the joint or muscles

3: Limited mandibular range of motion

4: Deviation or deflection of the mandible on opening

5: Jaw sounds

Other symptoms may be troubles sleeping, depression, grinding and clenching of the teeth, sinus blockage, postural deformities, and many others.

In rare cases TMJD symptoms are produced due to trigeminal neuralgia which can irritate the trigeminal nerve and cause “pain (often sharp shooting) in the face, teeth, and around the ear, along with numbness or tingling – but only on one side of the face.

What is the treatment for TMJ? ^15,16

Depending upon the cause, the following treatment may be effective

1: Corrective dental treatments may be done such as replacing teeth, getting a crown or getting braces.

2: Night splint-Dentists may also provide a splint or night guard as well to avoid bruxism- teeth grinding

3: Corticosteroid injections may be used to help reduce inflammation and decrease pain in the TMJ.

4: Botox can be used by being injected into muscles of mastication and works by blocking nerve signals forcing the jaw to relax and decrease clenching which has shown to significantly decrease pain and increase movement in the mouth for around 3 months.

5: Massage therapy is said to be a useful especially if caused by an overuse injury to help decrease hypertonicity or adhesions in muscles. Massage therapy has been proven to be helpful in helping to increase the maximal opening from 3.1 to 3.8 cm, an overall increase in neck range of motion, a decrease in muscle hypertonicity, a decrease in pain from7/10 to 3/10 on a numerical scale and a decline in stress.

6: Acupuncture may be a form of treatment to help relieve pain, promote circulation and help release trigger points in any affected muscles of mastication. It has been proven that the conventional acupuncture therapy is effective in reducing the degree of pain in patients with TMD, especially those with myofascial pain symptoms.

7: Surgery can be used for extreme last resort cases where parts of the TMJ can be repaired, repositioned or removed.

What can I do at home for the TMJ? To view the exercises in action follow our link:https://www.willowwellnessphysio.ca/home-exercise-for-jaw-pain-tmj/

The Effects of Massage Therapy for Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

The purpose of this case study was to observe and demonstrate the effects of massage therapy with home care to treat chronic temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD)

RMT techniques such as Swedish, joint mobilization, myofascial release, active and passive range of motion techniques to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical spine, as well as both external and intra-oral techniques such as kneading and pressure release on the muscles of mastication.

The goals during the intervention were to decrease symptoms related to TMJD such as pain in the jaw and neck, headaches, and decreased range of motion in TMJ, especially in depression of the jaw (opening the mouth). As well as addressing postural deformities related to TMJD such as head forward posture and hyper-kyphosis in the thoracic spine.

The application of massage therapy was able to provide immediate symptomatic relief in pain, stress and range of motion caused by TMJD.

Massage therapy has been shown to help decrease pain, improve range of motion, increase circulation, decrease stress, reduce adhesions and so much more.

Book an appointment today with TRENT, follow the link: https://willowwellnessphysio.janeapp.com/#/massage-therapy

Author: Trenton Stone-Vanderkooi

Trenton is a graduate from Vancouver Career College (VCC) where he studied massage therapy. His passion for therapy emerged after many years of playing competitive sports and recovery from personal injuries. He is excited to utilize his experience with competitive sports and knowledge of massage therapy to help others. He is particularly interested in treating shoulder cuff injuries, low back pain, TMJ dysfunction, and return to sport. In his personal life, Trenton enjoys competitive boxing, hiking, bouldering, and playing basketball. He also enjoys playing guitar and games with friends.

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