Ever had that nagging pain in your jaw that just won’t go away? You might be surprised to learn that it could be connected to your neck! In Part 2 of this TMJ blog series, we’re going to dive into why your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain might be related to issues in your neck, and what you can do about it with the help of physiotherapy.
Our very own physiotherapist at Focus, Alan Lam published a research article on the link between upper neck dysfunction and TMJ (jaw) pain:
Read it here.
Signs of Jaw Dysfunction:
- Popping or clicking noises in your jaw
- Pain in the facial region
- Headaches
- Fractured or worn teeth
- Stiff or painful jaw opening
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears) or pressure in ears
Understanding TMJ and Your Neck
Your TMJ is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. It’s responsible for all the movements you make with your jaw, like chewing, talking, and even yawning. Your neck might seem far away from your jaw, but they’re close neighbors in terms of your body’s anatomy.
How They’re Connected
1. Muscular Interactions: Ever notice how when one thing goes wrong in your body, it can affect other parts too? That’s exactly what happens with your TMJ and neck. The muscles responsible for jaw movement often intertwine with those of the neck. Dysfunction in one area can consequently impact the other, leading to pain and restricted mobility.
2. Joint Mechanics: Misalignment or dysfunction in the TMJ can alter head and neck posture, leading to all sorts of issues, like poor posture and muscle strain, which can make both your jaw and neck ache.
3. Nerve Pathways: Think of your nerves like highways in your body. Your TMJ and neck share some of these nerve pathways, so if there’s a problem in one area, it can send pain signals (referred pain) to the other. For instance, compression of the trigeminal nerve (responsible for sensation in the face) can manifest as TMJ pain, while cervical nerve compression can cause neck discomfort and radiating symptoms.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
1. Comprehensive Assessment: A thorough evaluation by a physiotherapist is crucial to identify the root cause of TMJ pain and associated neck problems. This assessment may include examining posture, range of motion, muscle strength, and joint mobility in both regions.
2. Manual Therapy: Techniques such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations, and myofascial release can help alleviate muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and restore proper movement in the TMJ and neck.
3. Exercise Prescription: Just like going to the gym can strengthen your muscles, specific exercises can target the muscles in your jaw and neck to help them work better together. Tailored exercises targeting jaw and neck muscles can enhance strength, flexibility, and coordination, promoting optimal function and reducing pain. These may include stretching, strengthening, and postural correction exercises.
4. Education and Self-Management: Ever heard the saying, “Knowledge is power”? Well, it’s true! Your physiotherapist will teach you all about how your TMJ and neck are connected and give you tips on things like posture and relaxation techniques to keep pain at bay.
This may involve ergonomic advice, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle modifications to minimize stress on the TMJ and neck.
5. Modalities: Your physiotherapist might use things like heat therapy, cold therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation to soothe sore muscles and joints to provide relief from pain and inflammation.
TMJ pain and neck issues often go hand in hand. Physiotherapy plays an essential role in addressing the root cause of jaw dysfunction. Understanding how your TMJ and neck are connected is the first step toward feeling better and getting back to enjoying life without discomfort. If you’re dealing with jaw pain, reach out to us at Focus Physiotherapy for a one-on-one appointment so we can tackle this together.