Jaw Pain and TMJ: How Highland Spine + Sport Can Help

Do you experience jaw pain when you chew, tension around your face, or a clicking sound when you open your mouth? You might be dealing with a temporomandibular disorder, often called TMD.

At Highland Spine + Sport in Roanoke, we help people understand what may be contributing to their jaw discomfort and develop a plan to help them feel and move better.

What is TMJ?

Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are located just in front of your ears. They connect your lower jaw to your skull and allow you to talk, chew, yawn, and move your mouth.

Everyone has TMJs, but when the joints or surrounding muscles become painful or don’t move comfortably, the condition is called a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. You may also hear people refer to it simply as “TMJ.” NIDCR

Common signs of TMD

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but may include:

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw or face
• Discomfort when chewing or opening your mouth
• A tired or tight feeling in the jaw
• Clicking or popping with jaw movement
• Difficulty opening your mouth comfortably
• Pain around the ear or temples
• Headaches

Clicking by itself is common and doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. But if it comes with pain, locking, or limited movement, it’s worth getting checked out. NIDCR

What can contribute to jaw pain?

There isn’t always one clear cause. Jaw discomfort can involve the joint, the muscles that move it, or a combination of factors. Clenching your teeth, grinding, chewing gum frequently, and stress-related muscle tension may contribute to symptoms for some people.

Your neck and jaw also work closely together, so we consider the areas around your jaw when looking at how you move and what might be contributing to your discomfort.

How Highland Spine + Sport helps

At Highland, we take a one-on-one, movement-focused approach to care. We start by listening to your concerns and learning how your symptoms affect your daily life—whether that’s eating, working, exercising, or sleeping.

Depending on your needs, your care may include:

• A movement assessment: We look at how your jaw and neck move and identify movements or activities that bring on your symptoms.
• Soft tissue therapy: Hands-on treatment may help address tenderness and tension in the muscles around the jaw, face, and neck.
• Individualized exercises: Gentle jaw and neck exercises can help you build more comfortable movement and give you tools to use at home.
• Education and habits: We’ll discuss things such as daytime clenching and resting mouth position that may be adding to your discomfort.
• Coordination with other providers: If your symptoms suggest a dental or medical concern, we can recommend that you follow up with your dentist or physician.

Your treatment plan is tailored to you and your goals. Our aim is to help you understand your symptoms and feel confident managing them.

A simple tip: Check your resting mouth position

One helpful place to start is noticing what your jaw is doing when you’re not eating or talking. Many people unknowingly hold their teeth together or clench throughout the day.

Try this comfortable resting position:

1. Let your lips come gently together.
2. Keep your upper and lower teeth slightly apart.
3. Rest your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth.
4. Let your jaw and facial muscles relax.

You don’t need to force the position. Think of it as a gentle reminder to let go of tension, especially when you’re working at a computer, driving, or concentrating. uclh.nhs.uk

Watch the video below for a demonstration of this resting mouth position.

[Insert your resting mouth position video here.]

When should you get your jaw checked?

If your jaw pain keeps coming back, makes it difficult to eat, or interferes with your day, an evaluation can help you understand what’s going on. If your jaw locks, you have significant trouble opening your mouth, or you have persistent or worsening pain, contact a healthcare professional or dentist for an assessment. NHS

Ready to find relief?

Jaw pain doesn’t have to be something you simply put up with. At Highland Spine + Sport in Roanoke, Virginia, we’ll take the time to listen, assess how you move, and help you find a path toward feeling better.

Contact Highland Spine + Sport to schedule an appointment or a free 15-minute discovery call.

Feel better. Move better. Live better.

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