TMJ (Temporomandibular joint)

TMJ stands for temporo-mandibular joint and refers to your jaw. TMJ symptoms often include painful clicking or locking, discomfort on chewing tougher foods, facial pain, headache, ear symptoms such as a blocked ear feeling, toothache, and poor sleep patterns.

An acute TMJ dysfunction may occur following dental work such as wisdom teeth removal, biting into a hard food item, a local injury resulting in pain and swelling, or due to biomechanical dysfunction of the surrounding muscles and ligamants. TMJ issues are often reklated to anxiet, stress and tooth-grinding.

Chronic TMJ dysfunction can also occur due to postural imbalances such as a forward head posture, muscle imbalances around the head and neck or gradual biomechanical changes related to changes in occlusal pattern (braces, tooth removal, capping).

The TMJ is approached like any other musculoskeletal injury, treatment requires a thorough examination of the TMJ, cervical spine and posture and it is treated with a combination of hands-on manual therapy techniques. Treatment also includes advice on relaxation and muscle exercises to ease off pressure of muscles contributing to TMJ dysfunction.