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Jaw Pain
Understanding TMJ Disorder and Jaw Pain: An Osteopath’s Perspective
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder can affect the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. This small but essential joint plays a significant role in daily activities like talking, eating, and even breathing. When something isn’t quite right with this joint, it can lead to discomfort, limited movement, and impact your quality of life. At our clinic, we take a whole-body approach to TMJ issues, focusing not just on the jaw but also on other areas of the body that might be contributing to the problem, including potential sources of jaw pain.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder (sometimes called TMD) refers to problems affecting the jaw joint and nearby muscles. You might notice symptoms like jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, headaches, earaches, or difficulty opening and closing your mouth. While dental issues can sometimes play a role, muscle and joint problems are often key contributors, leading to significant jaw pain.
TMD can be due to issues inside the joint itself (intra-articular), like inflammation or wear and tear, or outside the joint (extra-articular), such as muscle tension or poor posture. Understanding the cause of your jaw pain is important in finding the right approach to help.
In our modern, busy, and often stressful lives, with limited time for rest and recovery, stress can also play a significant role in contributing to TMD. Clenching or grinding your teeth (often unconsciously during sleep) is a common stress reaction, which can overwork the jaw muscles and lead to discomfort or pain, exacerbating jaw pain issues.
The Value of the Osteopathic Approach
We look at the bigger picture when it comes to TMJ problems. We aim to help reduce discomfort and improve how your jaw and body work together. We use gentle hands-on techniques to help ease tension, improve movement, and support your body’s natural balance, specifically targeting areas that may be causing jaw pain.
Our approach may include:
- Gentle exercises to help improve jaw movement and strengthen supporting muscles.
- Hands-on therapy to ease muscle tension and encourage better joint function.
- Posture advice to help reduce strain on the jaw and neck.
- Relaxation techniques to support overall well-being and help reduce muscle tension.
How Hands-On Therapy Can Help
Research has shown that hands-on therapy can be helpful for people experiencing TMJ discomfort and jaw pain. Studies have found that techniques like gentle joint movements, soft tissue massage, and muscle relaxation can help ease pain and improve jaw movement.
One study by Calixtre et al. (2015) highlighted how these methods can help reduce pain and improve how wide the mouth can open. Another study by Urbański et al. (2021) found that focusing on relaxing the muscles used for chewing can also bring relief from jaw pain.
Related Areas That May Affect TMJ
- Neck and Upper Back:
Poor posture, especially from spending long hours at a desk or on devices, can lead to tension in the neck and upper back. This tension can sometimes affect how your jaw moves and feels, potentially leading to increased jaw pain.
- Shoulders:
Tightness or imbalances in the shoulders can pull on the neck and jaw, contributing to discomfort and jaw pain.
- Muscles Involved in Jaw Movement:
Several muscles help your jaw move, including the ones inside your mouth and those in your neck and head. If these muscles are tight or not working well together, they can cause jaw pain or clicking sounds.
- Pain from Other Areas:
Sometimes jaw pain isn’t coming from the jaw itself. Issues in the neck or head can send pain signals to the jaw area. This is why we take a whole-body approach to find the root cause of jaw pain.
When to Seek Further Advice
While TMJ discomfort is often due to muscle or joint issues, there are times when further medical checks are essential. If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor:
- Unexplained weight loss or tiredness
- Worsening headaches
- Numbness or tingling in the face
- Severe or constant pain
- Swelling around the jaw or neck
Osteopaths recognise that in some cases, it might also be helpful to work with other healthcare professionals like dentists or speech pathologists to ensure you’re getting the most complete care. Research by Brighenti et al. (2023) suggests that a team approach can be beneficial when managing TMJ disorders and associated jaw pain.
How We Assess and Support TMJ Function
When you visit us with jaw discomfort, we take the time to look at how your jaw, neck, back, and shoulders are moving. We want to understand how everything is working together so we can offer the most suitable care for you.
If you’re experiencing TMJ discomfort or are curious about how osteopathy might help with your jaw pain, we’d be happy to chat with you. We’re here to support you on your journey to feeling better—feel free to reach out and book a consultation.
Let’s work together to help you move and feel your best!
References
- Calixtre, L.B., Moreira, R.F.C., Franchini, G.H., Alburquerque‐Sendín, F., & Oliveira, A.B. (2015). Manual therapy for the management of pain and limited range of motion in subjects with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 42(11), 847-861.
- Urbański, P., Trybulec, B., & Pihut, M. (2021). The Application of Manual Techniques in Masticatory Muscles Relaxation as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24), 12970.
- Brighenti, N., Battaglino, A., Sinatti, P., Abuín-Porras, V., Romero, E.A.S., Pedersini, P., et al. (2023). Effects of an Interdisciplinary approach in the management of temporomandibular Disorders: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 2777.
