TMJ Disorder Explained and the Most Common Symptoms

The TMJ disorder is a blanket term for problems with the joint connecting the jawbone to the skull. It is also sometimes referred to as TMD, TMJ syndrome, or just TMJ. TMJ is actually an abbreviation for the Temporomandibular joint. The TMJ disorder was actually given a different name in 1934. It was called "Costen's syndrome" after James B. Costen characterized it as being "a syndrome of ear and sinus symptoms dependent upon disturbed function of the temporomandibular joint."

TMJ is much like other joints in the body and can be afflicted with many of the same conditions such as arthritis, dislocations, trauma, neoplasia, reactive lesions, and ankylosis. There are literally dozens of different TMJ symptoms and a wide variety of treatments that can be used to treat this condition. One reason for that is the fact that so many different components are used to make up TMJ.

The main TMJ components are muscles, bones, nerves, ligaments, tendons, teeth, and connective tissues. That brings a long list of medical specialists into the mix with the two main disciplines being dentistry and neurology.

Some of the most common TMJ symptoms are:

1. Headache (especially in the morning)
2. Earache (also in the morning and with no evidence of ear infection)
3. Biting or chewing discomfort or difficulty
4. Dizziness
5. Migraine
6. Hearing loss
7. Dull aching pain in the face
8. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
9. Jaw pain or tenderness
10. Neck and shoulder pain
11. Clicking, popping, and grating sounds from opening and closing the mouth
12. Limited range of motion for opening and closing the mouth
13. Jaw lopsided or not opening evenly on both sides

Many times a doctor will suggest surgery to correct this condition but the problem with that is it's very invasive and costly not to mention it can be very painful and even ineffective. There are many other natural healing options that should be explored before surgery is considered.

Another thing to think about is, whether you resort to surgery or try a more natural and less expensive treatment plan, your chances of success will greatly depend on understanding the root cause of the TMJ disorder and treating that as well as the TMJ symptoms.

Since the most common cause of the TMJ disorder is the constant grinding or clenching the teeth that people with stress problems do in their sleep it would only make sense that if you didn't treat the stress as well as the TMJ symptoms you have you would only keep damaging your TMJ with the constant wear caused by grinding your teeth.

The best advice when it comes to TMJ pain relief is to find out the root cause of your TMJ disorder and treat that along with your TMJ symptoms.