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The temporomandibular joint or TMJ is the joint between the mandible of the jaw and the temporal bone head. These two joints, which receive constant use during chewing and talking, are among the most complicated and misunderstood joints in the body. To find your TMJ, place your fingers in front of each ear and open your mouth. You will feel the indentation of the temporomandibular joint beneath your finger. Open and close your mouth. The motion that you feel is the temporomandibular joint. You can also feel the joint when you place a finger in your ear (finger pad forward).
The function of the TMJ relies on a complex network of muscles, bones, ligaments, and nerves. In between the temporal bone of the head and the mandible of the jaw lies a fibrocartilagenous disc, which acts as cushion between the condyle (ball of bone at the end of the mandible) and the socket that it fits into.
Symptoms:
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is often overlooked and misdiagnosed. Symptoms of TMD can often include: clicking, grinding, or popping sensations in one or both of the jaws with pain or tightness around the ears or headaches in the temporal region of the head. Facial pain, stiffness, jaw fatigue, and soreness of the facial muscles are also common complaints. Other common symptoms are intense headaches, swelling on the side of the face, stuffy ears, and ear pain and muscle spasms in the neck and upper back. Many people with TMD report a decreased ability to open or close their mouth.
The pain can be sharp occurring every time you open your mouth, yawn, chew or talk. It can also be dull and constant. The pain can be a result of the displacement pi the cartilaginous disc, stretching or putting pressure on the sensitive nerve and ligamentous tissue. Pain can also be coming from the muscles that control the jaw. The temporomandibular joint can have similar types of problems as seen in any other joint.
TMD can occur as a result of physical trauma like an auto accident or a blow to the face. It can also occur from minor every day traumas as chronic clenching or bruxism (grinding of the teeth) or a poor bite.
Treatment:
TMJ disorders are treated by a combination of approaches including physical therapy, behavioral changes, dental intervention, and in some cases surgery.
At Hartley Health Care Services, Inc., treatment starts with a thorough musculoskeletal and postural evaluation. After identifying relevant findings and contributing factors, we design an individualized treatment plan. Our staff of licensed physical therapists, which have had many post graduate courses in the field of TMJ and manual techniques, utilize manual techniques, modalities, exercise and education in the care of our patients. We also provide the latest and state-of-the-art equipment including laser, 3 MHz ultrasound, diathermy, electrical stimulation, biofeedback and iontophoresis to help speed your recovery. We take every opportunity to educate you in how you can help yourself. We will work with your physician, dentist, orthodontist, or oral surgeon with a team approach.
What can you do to help yourself?
 Rest the muscles - chew only soft foods
Avoid any habits that are causing increased stress to the joint, such as nail biting, gum chewing or chewing ice
Avoid clenching or tensing your jaw muscles
Avoid grinding your teeth
Relax the muscles with heat or cold
Sit, stand, walk and sleep with good postural patterns
Balance activity with rest
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