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"TMJ Disorder" typically describes dysfunction
of the jaw muscles and joints. It can be as minor as
slight clicking or popping sensations when the mouth is opened
and closed, or as serious as persistent pain extending into the
face, neck and shoulders.
The
temporomandibular joints connect your
lower jaw to your skull. They are sliding "ball and
socket" joints and are dependent upon proper alignment to work
smoothly. These joints are the most complex and
frequently-used joints in your body, cycling over 2,000 times
daily.
When the upper jaw and lower jaw
are misaligned, this dysfunction
can lead to pain and discomfort.
Symptoms include:
Clicking, popping or crunching noises
Headaches and/or dizziness
Neck, shoulder and backaches
Pain when the jaw is opened fully
Facial pain and a sense of facial muscle fatigue
Ringing in the ears
Many conditions
can result in a misalignment of the jaw which places stress on
the nerves, blood vessels, muscles and connecting tissues of the
TM joints.
Under prolonged stress, your body may begin to
compensate by adapting an unnatural position involving the neck,
back, or even your arms or pelvis. |
