TMJ Facial Pain - How TMJ Can Cause Your Entire Face To Hurt

The Temporo-Mandibular Joint is also known as TMJ or the “jaw joint”. Problems arise when an imbalance within the fragile operation between the joint that links the jaw and skull together with the muscles that shift the jaw, as well as disorders of the nervous system associated with these muscles and joints are called Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder or more simply, TMJ disorder. A common symptom of TMJ disorder most likely experienced is facial pain. Generally there are several reasons that can result in facial pain and jaw pain.

TMJ Muscle Pain

TMJ facial pain is mainly muscular in nature.  When a person has a TMJ disorder, the facial muscles that support the working of the “jaw joint” become especially stressed.  Our upper and lower jaw comes together when we eat or chew.   TMJ tends to create an unstable bite, as the jaws do not remain securely aligned during this motion. This creates further strain for the muscles around the jaws, which in turn causes TMJ facial pain. On top of that, a common symptom of TMJ involves clenching and grinding teeth which increases strain on the muscles of the facial area, contributing to muscle tenderness and pain.

TMJ Muscle Spasm

The more severe cases of TMJ disorder, experience severe damage to the muscles around the jaw. The muscles stiffen as a result of the constriction of blood vessels in the muscles. This stops blood from flowing in and out of muscles efficiently, resulting in further damage to the facial muscle. There is greater tissue damage which leads to greater TMJ facial pain.

Treatment

TMJ Treatments differ widely. For the most part this is due to the involvement of the teeth, jaw joints and muscles and each of their conditions which greatly deviates from person to person. Facial pain treatment usually involves pain relievers and a prescribed muscle relaxer. If the therapy for the TMJ disorder includes use of a short-term appliance known as an orthotic, or “splint”, the facial muscles could suffer from modest stiffness and pain when first using it. The use of pain relievers and /or muscle relaxers can greatly reduce or eliminate the pain.

Therapy

The most effective forms of therapy for TMJ facial pain are specific exercises prescribed for TMJ disorders. These exercises encompass jaw muscle relaxation exercises and jaw deviation modification exercises along with others. Making time for these exercises on a daily basis will alleviate the tension on the muscles and eliminate the rigidity and stiffness. However, keep in mind physical therapy does not have an immediate effect; nevertheless it needs to be performed every day for successful benefits. Therapy is a component of a successful TMJ disorder rehabilitation treatment it is not to be used as a form of pain relief.