|
TMJ
dysfunction is a term used to describe any disorder of the jaw
joints or the muscles that control the joints. There are many
terms used to describe these disorders.
The popular term "TMJ" as in "I think I have TMJ" is actually
an abbreviation for the name of the joint: Temporomandibular Joints.
These are the two joints, one on either side of your head, which
serve as the connection between your lower jaw, or the mandible,
and your skull. The mandible is actually not part of your skull,
but rather a separate entity that is literally hung by muscles,
tendons and ligaments. When these joints suffer a dysfunction,
they can cause many problems such as:
Clicking
or Popping of the Jaw Joints
Pain in or Around the Joints
Locking or Limited Opening of the Mouth
The
muscles that surround and support the joints and those that are
used in eating can also effect, and be effected by, the joint
itself. Pain in the joints, from any number of causes, can cause
the muscles to tighten as a sort of protective mechanism. Tight,
taught muscles will limit the movement in the joint and hence
reduce the possibility of pain. This is called, protective co-contraction.
In addition, any habit such as clenching or biting on pencils,
or parafunction, such as nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) can
cause the muscles to fatigue or spasm. Imagine lifting a weight
hundreds of time a day with your biceps muscle. You can see how
this muscle would hurt and after a while be unable to contract
efficiently any longer. Furthermore, the constant upward movement
of the heads of the mandible can cause inflammation and pain in
the TMJs. This muscular component of the "TMJ syndrome" can cause:
Headaches
Pain Behind the Eyes
Dizziness
Earaches or Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)
Neck, Shoulder or Backpain
The
good news is that when properly diagnosed by a trained practitioner,
most of these symptoms respond well to treatment. Often, but not
always, a temporary device known as an orthotic is worn over the
teeth to reduce muscle spasm and joint pain. This, in conjunction
with physical therapy, can give relief. If it is determined that
the joint itself is damaged in some way it must be specifically
treated. It is important to note that many of these symptoms have
different causes and a wide range of severity. Immediate medical
help should be sought for any head pain that leads to:
Weakness
of an Arm or Leg
Loss of Vision
Disorientation
Loss of Consciousness
|
