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What is the TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects the jawbone (mandible) to the skull. It is located just in front of the ears and allows for the movement of the jaw in various directions, including up and down, side to side, and forward and backward.
The TMJ is surrounded by muscles, ligaments, and tendons that help to control its movement. A fibrocartilaginous disk divides the articular cavity into two parts. We can compare it to a piece of rubber that protects the joint.
What are the causes and the symptoms of TMJ disorders?
Dental malocclusion (teeth are not aligned properly) and bruxism (teeth grinding), related to stress and anxiety, are among the most common causes TMJ disoders.
Any traumatic events such as fractures, sprains, dislocations that are related to a fall or a shock to the joint, but also the constraints linked to orthodontics and dentistry, can be a source of TMJ disorders.
Other conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatic, infectious and tumoral pathologies are also found.
The symptoms are very diverse:
Pain in the mandible
Cracking of the joints
Blockages
A limitation of the opening of the mouth
Dental pain
Pain in the temples and/or ears (otalgia)
Tinnitus
Facial pain (neuralgia)
Headaches
The most common symptoms are pain in the mandible and in the ears.
However, other symptoms, even more distant from the TMJ can also occur, such as neck pain, back pain, stiff neck, fatigue, dizziness, balance problems, etc.
How osteopathy can help?
While there are a variety of treatments to consider for TMJ disorders, with a multidisciplinary approach, osteopathic care may offer a unique approach to manage these conditions.
Osteopathic manual therapy may involve applying gentle pressure to specific areas of the jaw or skull, or using stretching and massage to relieve tension in the muscles and ligaments.
The masseter and temporal muscles are often worked because they are the ones that allow us to clench our teeth (when we chew, but also when we are stressed). The pterygoid muscles (responsible for lateral movements). The neck muscles that are inserted on the jaw can also be worked on.
The jaw joint itself will be worked on, with relaxation and decompression techniques.
In addition, the removal of tension caused by stress and anxiety (thoracic, cervical, digestive, etc.) will indirectly contribute to reducing tension on the TMJ.