TMJ Symptoms

TMJ symptoms can vary from jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, clicking& popping, grating sounds or locking of the jaw. Fall and Spring can be the worst time of the year because changes of temperature to somewhat cold can cause the water to contract in muscles. The contraction can cause the muscles in the neck, jaw, and even inside the mouth to ache and become stiff. Most people are prepared for cold temperatures in the middle of winter, and cover the jaws and head appropriately. Fall sometimes can catch you off-guard when the jaw and face muscles are exposed to cold, wind, etc. Plus your body tends to accommodate itself to cold temperatures as the winter progresses.

TMJ and TMD

The combination of oral appliance, joint physical therapy, and stress management is the current standard of care for jaw joint treatment that is called "conservative TMJ or TMD therapy." TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint, and is where the temporal bone meets the mandible bone at the jaw joint. TMD stands for Temporo-Mandibular Disorder. TMJ and TMD are pretty much interchangeable. When temperatures begin to change dramatically like they are now is when many TMJ problems begin, and when many old ones begin to come back or get worse. Conservative TMJ therapy is a large part of my practice and a sub-specialty that I have practiced for 22 years. More on symptoms and treatment next time...