Date: Mar 3rd 2014 9:49a.m.

Contributed by:
chelseastone

Did you know migranes and other pains or diseases might be caused by…

The temporomandibular joint connects the mandibula to the skull. Any dysfunction of the joint or the muscles that move it are called TMJ (TMD).

There are many symptoms that might be caused by a dysfunctional TMJ, such as:

–          Limited range of motion of the jaw

–          Referred pain to the mouth, face, head, neck and back

–          Headaches or migraines

–          Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)

–          Vertigo, dizziness

–          Cracking or grinding of the jaw

One of the biggest problems is that many of the symptoms mentioned above are very unspecific and many doctors or physiotherapists do not instantly connect them to TMJ. However, almost 1/3 of complaints of headache and referred pain are attributable to TMJ.

There are many possible reasons for a dysfunction and it’s hard — if not impossible — to determine one specific cause. It is commonly believed that there are multiple factors contributing to the dysfunction, such as:

–          Genetics

–          Hormones

–           Teeth grinding or sleep disorders

–          Psychological effects like emotional stress or depression

–          Abnormal development of the teeth/jaw

–          Dental extraction

As part of the treatment for TMJ, physiotherapy has proven to be quite successful in many ways. Manual therapy can help to ease the pain, relief the headaches and increase the range of motion of the joint. Additionally, you should consult with your dentist and/or orthodontist to see if there is any structural anomaly or if a dental night guard is required.

Contributed by Christian Salfeldner, Physiotherapist of SinoUnited Health