Discover T M J Symptoms and Simple T M J Treatments.
| Sometimes the TMJ encounters problems or may have a deformity that can cause some functions to become difficult. TMJ is the abbreviation for Tempromandibular joints, the TMJ is the joints where the lower jaw bone (mandible) is connected to the skull. A membrane of cartilage allows the joint smooth and controlled movement. |
This is the joint that enables us to open and close our jaw, hence open and close our mouth. It allows the movement of our jaw and co-ordinated function to produce speech, consume food and at times to enhance a funny face gesture.:)
One of the first symptoms of TMJ (Tempromandibular joints) can be a clicking feeling in the TMJ joint and sometimes is audible at least to the sufferer. This may be accompanied with various levels of Tmj pain, and on rare occasions, perhaps jaw locking.
As TMJ disorder has a number of causes. The exact diagnosis can take time. Each cause needs to be investigated. If you suspect an inherited deformity or the result of an injury (a malocclusion) as the cause then you need to seek medical or dental confirmation.
Whatever the causes of your TMJ they will most likely cause muscle tension in the jaw resulting in Tmj pain. This can be the result of a change for the worse in your anxiety and stress levels. You may be jaw clenching . teeth grinding, you may be chewing to excess, such as chewing gum relentlessly. It is important to recognize that these may be habits controlled by your subconscious in reaction to stress and tension. Tmj exercises will relieve the pain.
As previously mentioned a jaw can be misaligned from birth or scar tissue as the result of a TMJ injury.
A previously broken jaw is susceptible to joint disorders if the cartilage did not regenerate successfully. Inappropriately aligned teeth can place transverse and other directional pressures on the Tempromandibular joints causing jaw clicking and Tmj pain. If this is the case tmj exercises may assist but only after you have consulted a dentist or physician.
Treatment is needed to avoid the possible oncoming of joint pain and a number of muscle pains emerging form the face and neck and progressing to your shoulders. Other emerging complaints can be earache, migraine and headache, sleep loss and limited movement of the jaw and possibly your neck.
These are the extreme conditions relating to TMJ and more often the problem is from a minor cause and simpler treatment like Tmj exercises will overcome the disorder.
If you are teeth grinding you need to stop and I recommend you read an article about teeth grinding here on this blog. A bruxism mouth guard is often wrongly recommended. A mouth guard will stop the wear on your teeth but it will not stop the disorder which is really a habit. Thus your habit of teeth grinding is a probable cause of your TMJ.
There are better methods of controlling the physical and habitual things that are causing your TMJ discomfort. The best method is the cause of the disorder. If after reading this article you believe a bad habit caused by stress (subconscious stress or physical stress) is the cause of your TMJ disorder then a natural method like Tmj exercises may be a good solution for you.
As I always suggest, praise yourself for success as you progress with your treatment. If you are treating a child then put praise upon them. Praise just might be the subliminal cure.
Footnote:
“TMJ” refers to the point tha your jaw hinges upon. “Tmj disorder” is the condition. It is often related to bruxism (teeth grinding) but they really are 2 seperate conditions. Many sufferes of bruxism do not develop Tmj and many people with TMJ pain do not grind their teeth. If you have a sore jaw but no misalignment or clicking of the jaw joint then it is possible thaty you are unaware of the bruxism symptoms. Tmj exercises refers to a series of exercises carried out over a few minutes several times a day. Refer to our remedies page for more Tmj exercise information.
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