What is TMJ Pain?

Pain coming from the jaw, also known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Jaw pain is a small term but can be debilitating and affect other body parts including your sinuses, ears, teeth, or the muscles and bones.

The jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a sliding hinge joint responsible for chewing, talking and expressing emotions. Therefore, due to its muscle attachments at the head and neck, you can experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms. The best option for treating TMJ pain is to target the cause of the pain, not just the symptoms.
A thorough examination from a physical therapist may show a number of findings: poor control of the jaw muscles, jaw stiffness, myofascial pain, or neck tightness. These findings, if not addressed lead to persistent TMJ pain, headaches and neck pain. We know that there is no one “cure” for jaw pain, however, a blended approach of differential diagnosis, corrective exercise, joint manipulation, and dry needling have been shown to be effective at alleviating symptoms. Above all, treating the “cause” of the pain will help you find long lasting pain relief.