So what is TMJD and what could it represent? TMJD could be as simple as jaw pain while chewing or clicking in the jaw to headaches, neck pain, eye pain, ear pain, limited mouth range of motion, lockjaw, and much more. So what causes TMJD? There can be many factors involved, as the jaw is a complicated structure linked to both the head and the neck. The joint sits directly in front of the ear.
There are 4 main jaw muscles involved on each side. Externally you have the massater and the temporalis, involved in closing the jaw. Internally you have the medial and lateral pterygoid. These assist in side-to-side motion, and the lateral pterygoid is the only muscle of these 4 that is active during opening of the jaw. This muscle is also extremely important because it attaches directly to the articular disc and helps to maintain its position throughout movement.
I bring all these muscles up to help better explain some of the common problems and treatments for TMJD. One significant cause of TMJD is asymmetrical activity of the jaw muscles. This may cause deviation of the jaw to the side during opening or closing. By allowing the jaw to deviate, it puts increased stress into the articular disc as well as the muscles, both of which can lead to pain.
If the articular disc becomes too worn it can lead to osteoarthritis of the joint, similar to the meniscus in the knee. People who grind their teeth tend to have extreme tightness and trigger points in the muscles involved in closing the jaw. Because many muscles involved in chewing and swallowing also attach to the head and upper cervical spine, dysfunction at these joints can also affect their function. So what are your treatment options? If your bite is the problem, sometimes getting mouthguards or splints can help correct this.
As movement therapists however we take a slightly different approach. By assessing motion of the TMJ and upper cervical spine, combined with assessment of the related musculature, we can pinpoint the problem areas. Gentle chiropractic manipulations can be used to correct the joint related issues, and the muscles of the jaw and neck respond incredibly well to techniques such as dry needling, graston, and trigger point release.
