TMJ & Jaw Pain Treatment in Hayes, West London

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the joint connecting your lower jaw to your skull just in front of each ear.

TMD — temporomandibular disorder — is the broader term used to describe problems affecting the jaw joints, chewing muscles and surrounding structures.

People often use “TMJ” to describe jaw problems generally, although technically TMJ refers to the joint itself.

Jaw clicking can occur for several reasons and commonly relates to how the joint and articular disc move as the mouth opens and closes.

Clicking is very common and, if it isn't painful and your jaw moves normally, it doesn't necessarily mean that something is damaged or needs treatment.

If clicking occurs alongside pain, locking or restricted movement, assessment may be useful.

Chewing and yawning require movement through the TMJ and activity from the surrounding muscles.

If the joint or chewing muscles are painful or sensitive, these activities may temporarily increase symptoms. Looking at where the pain occurs and how the jaw moves can help identify which areas may be contributing.

Clenching and grinding can increase the load placed on the jaw joints and muscles around the jaw and temples and may contribute to headaches or facial pain in some people.

If headaches occur alongside jaw pain, clicking, tenderness, tooth grinding or difficulty opening your mouth, the jaw may be worth assessing as part of the overall picture.

Yes. Repeated clenching or grinding can increase the workload placed on the jaw muscles and joints and may contribute to pain, muscular fatigue or headaches for some people.

However, bruxism is only one potential contributor to jaw symptoms, so not everyone with TMD will be clenching or grinding their teeth.

Yes, osteopathy and physiotherapy can form part of migraine management, particularly where neck pain, stiffness, muscular symptoms or other musculoskeletal factors occur alongside migraine.

Depending on your individual presentation, management may include hands-on treatment, exercise and rehabilitation, as well as looking at factors relevant to your migraine pattern. Acupuncture may also be incorporated where appropriate and with your consent.

This can sit alongside medication and medical management where these are needed.

Jaw problems can occur alongside headaches and facial pain, particularly around the temples where some of the major chewing muscles are located.

However, there are many different causes and types of headache, so having jaw symptoms doesn't automatically mean the TMJ is responsible for your headaches.

The jaw and neck are closely related, and neck symptoms frequently coexist with TMD. Movement, muscular tension and sensitivity around the neck may therefore be relevant for some people with jaw pain.

That doesn't mean every jaw problem originates from the neck, but assessing both areas can be useful when symptoms overlap.

Yes. Stress and changes in sleep can influence several headache disorders, including tension-type headache and migraine, although the effect varies considerably between individuals.

Rather than assuming stress is “the cause”, it can be useful to look at whether changes in sleep, workload, recovery or stress appear to coincide with changes in your headache pattern.

Not necessarily. A jaw that clicks but is pain-free and moves normally doesn't always require treatment.

If clicking is accompanied by pain, restricted movement, catching or locking, assessment may be more useful than simply trying to eliminate the noise itself.

A mouth guard or dental splint may be appropriate for some people, particularly where sleep bruxism or dental wear is present.

This should be assessed by a dentist, who can examine your teeth and advise whether a splint is appropriate. Musculoskeletal treatment may still be useful for associated jaw pain, muscular symptoms or movement restrictions.

Yes. Musculoskeletal treatment can be helpful for some TMD presentations, particularly where joint movement, muscular pain, neck symptoms or movement restrictions form part of the problem.

Treatment may include hands-on techniques to the jaw and surrounding muscles, treatment of the neck or upper back where appropriate, exercise and advice tailored to your individual presentation.

Intra-oral treatment involves working carefully with certain muscles and tissues from inside the mouth. This can allow access to areas involved in jaw movement that are difficult to reach externally.

It isn't necessary for everyone. If I think an intra-oral technique may be appropriate, I'll explain what I'm proposing and why beforehand. It will only be performed with your consent and if you're comfortable proceeding.