Temporomandibular Disorder

Injury to the jaw, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or muscles of the head and neck – such as from a heavy blow or whiplash – can cause TMD. Other possible causes include:

-Grinding or clenching the teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the TMJ
-Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket
-Presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ
-Stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth

Common symptoms of TMD include:

-Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide
-Limited ability to open the mouth very wide
-Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position
-Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain) or chewing
-A tired feeling in the face
-Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite – as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
-Swelling on the side of the face
-May occur on one or both sides of the face
-Other common symptoms of TMD include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitis).

Osteopathic treatment for TMD:

An osteopath will aim to provide symptomatic relief of pain in the related structures of the jaw, head, neck, back & shoulders. This may allow for reflex relaxation of the jaw to settle symptoms of jaw pain and may also assist with a better nights sleep. Various osteopathic techniques help to restore normal muscular function without the use of drugs, splints or surgery.