The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

What is TMJ and TMD?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that sits directly in front of the mid-section of your ear and connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull. It allows your jaw to open and close, enabling you to speak and eat.

Though one of the smaller joints within the body, the TMJ is capable of with-standing significant, repetitive loads generated with biting and chewing. One reason for the TMJ’s resilience is that its articulating surfaces are lined with a special lubricant called fibrocartilage. Unlike the cartilage that lines the majority of other skeletal joints, fibrocartilage is less susceptible to the wear and tear effects of aging.

Despite its small size, the TMJ can have far reaching detrimental effects when it is inflamed or injured. Common signs of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) may include:

• Pain over the TMJ itself or muscles involved in its operation

• Ear symptoms (i.e.ear pain, fullness, tinnitus)

• Tooth pain

• Headaches

• Difficulty swallowing

• Pain with movement of the jaw

• TMJ noises

• Limited opening range / locking episodes

In fact, active trigger points in certain jaw muscles can present as tooth pain. The sinus pain in your cheek may not be coming from your sinuses at all but rather your TMJ!

Temporomandibular dysfunction most commonly results from cases of macro trauma like direct impact to the jaw or car accidents, and/or repetitive micro trauma like chewing one’s finger nails, inside cheek biting, clenching or grinding.  Postural dysfunction can also contribute to TMD as it forces both the jaw joints and supporting musculature to operate under increased load.

Physical therapy can help significantly in treating TMD.  Treatments may include:

• Changing your behaviours and habits

• Education regarding effective home management measures

• Home exercise programs

• Manual therapy techniques

• Acupuncture and Dry Needling

If you or someone you know is currently showing signs of TMD, schedule an assessment and let us help you reduce your symptoms and implement some effective treatment strategies!