Thursday, 1 November 2018

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD or TMD) is a condition that affects the muscles and joints of the jaw.

Symptoms include:

  • A clicking and grinding noise 
  • Pain around the jaw joint and muscles
  • Ear pain that can spread to the temple and cheek
  • Stiffiness and difficulty opening the mouth
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Neck pain 
  • Lax subluxations or dislocations
There are a number of causes which include:
  • Clenching or grinding the jaw - most people do this in their sleep or when stressed
  • Injury
  • A uneven bit
  • Or other medical conditions, in my case Hypermobilty Spectrum Disorder 

There are a number of treatments such as exercises and wearing a brace, both of which I do. Lifestyle changes can also help such as avoiding certain foods or cutting certain foods up into smaller pieces, relations techniques such as applying heat, pain relief medication.