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What is TMJ?

TMJ is a group of disorders that involve dysfunction in your jaw joints, called the temporomandibular (TM) joints. When functioning normally, the TM joints operate like sliding hinges — they open and close as you move your mouth.

The TM joint has a complex structure that is unique among weight-bearing joints in the body. The rounded upper ends of the mandible on each side of your head (the condyles) glide inside a socket at the base of your skull, and the disc that is in between absorbs shock from chewing and other movements. The synchronized, three-dimensional movement of the TMJs explains why these joints are so sensitive to pressure and pain.

TMJ Treatment: Relief from Jaw Pain and Discomfort

Most TMJ symptoms are caused by tired, tight, or injured muscles, inflamed tendons, or compromised ligaments and cartilage. The pain is usually caused by a combination of these factors and can vary in intensity from day to day.

In many cases, simple, at-home remedies such as changing your posture or avoiding extreme jaw movements can help ease TMD symptoms. Aggressive treatments such as jaw surgery should only be considered after exhausting reversible therapies.

TMD symptoms are often referred to as neck pain, headache, or earache. These conditions are actually part of a multi-systemic problem that affects the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems. Studies have shown that 85% of TMD patients also have comorbidities, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as other inflammatory diseases.

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