What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)?
Although it is commonly called TMJ, that term actually means Temporomandibular Joint - or your jay joint. The more accurate term is TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) or more correctly CMD (Craniomandibular Disorder). It is a diease of Cranial Facial Anatomy and refers to a broad array of symptoms that can arise from an issue in how the lower jaw functions and rests.
The symptoms number in the dozens and don’t all affect people equally and has made accurate and consistent diagnosis of the condition very difficult.
Some common symptoms include:
Migraine pain
Facial pain
Jaw joint pain
Back, neck, cervical pain
Postural problems (forward head posture)
Pain in the face
Headaches (tension type)
Pain behind the eyes - dagger and ice pick feelings
Clenching/bruxing
Tender sensitive teeth to cold
Deviation of the jaw to one side
The jaw locking open or closed
Ringing in the ears, ear pai, and ear congestion
Sinus like symptoms
Dizziness or vertigo
Visual Disturbances
Tingling in fingers and hands
Insomnia - difficulty sleeping
Multiple bites that feels uncomfortable or, “off”, and continually changing
Pain in the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joints
Opening of the mouth (commonly known as “Locked Jaw”)
Pain in the occipital (back), temporal (side), frontal (front), or sub-orbital (below the eyes)
Hidden underneath these symptoms are generally a negative impact on the blood flow to the brain as well as diminished airway and often nighttime sleep problems.