What Are the Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders?
There are several indicators that one is experiencing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Common symptoms include: • Pain/tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when chewing, speaking, or opening the mouth wide • Limited ability to open the mouth very wide • Jaws that get “stuck” or “locked” in the open- or closed-mouth position • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain) • A tired feeling in the face • Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite—as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly • Swelling on the side of the face Other common symptoms include toothaches, headaches, neck pain, dizziness, as well as earaches and hearing problems. Additional Resources Davies, Clair and Amber Davies. (2001). The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief. New Harbinger Publications, Inc.: Oakland,