The TMJ is always an interesting one to treat. It often comes up as an aside when a patient comes in to address another area. Sometimes the problem has been present for a long time, but the patient never really knew who would be able to deal with. Is it a dentist job? Would a GP be able to point be in the right direction? Osteopaths can treat joints from head to toe, and the TMJ falls within that area!
Common TMJ Issues
Clicking
Clicking in the jaw can be caused by a fold in the cartilage disc. Although it sounds dramatic, it can be very responsive to treatment in clinic and exercises at home. The image above shows potential disc misalignment, and the relationship of the disc and muscle. One muscle attaches to the disc itself, so it makes sense that if the muscle is tight, it could pull the disc into dysfunction. Fortunately, when the cause is a tight muscle, it can be one of the quickest and easiest things to resolve. Tension can be complicated by the presence of things like bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) as that can be a hard habit to break.
Sometimes it helps to see a dentist who can prescribe a gumshield type “splint” to interrupt the grinding at night. Or it might transpire that an issue in the neck or beyond has encouraged the development of tension…
Neck Related Postural Issues
To put it simply, when your posture encourages your head to come forwards, there’s a pull on the underside of the chin and front of the neck. This alone would make the mouth open, but there’s a reflex to keep your mouth shut. Of course, some people breathe through an open mouth the majority of the time, so this doesn’t apply to 100% of the population. But for the most part, the reflex will engage the muscles around the TMJ to close. As long as you’re in that forward head position, the muscles will engage. This can lead to a similar problem to that discussed above.
Osteoarthritis in the TMJ
Figures for the incidence of OA in the TMJ are varied. Ultimately, the joint has the anatomy of a joint that could be affected by OA, so although it will not be the cause of all episodes of jaw pain, it should be considered. Earlier stages of OA respond well to movement, so treatment and exercises focused on mobility can be helpful. More advanced cases are harder to manage, so do make an appointment for your pain sooner rather than later.
Osteopathy for the TMJ
There is a lot that can be done for the jaw with hands on techniques in the treatment room, and Beverley has a range of exercises that can support your progress between appointments. More complex cases may benefit a dentist visit alongside osteopathic treatment. Or sometimes they just need a bit of treatment for the neck or upper back to relieve some tension and let the body sort itself out. In any case, your management plan will be tailored to your history and symptoms, and revisited at each appointment to ensure we’re on the right track to meet your goals.
Click here to make an appointment with Beverley for your TMJ in Umm Suqueim