TMJ and The Pain It Causes

woman with hand on man's shoulder

TMJ and The Pain It Causes

TMJ is known for being a “pain in the neck.”

What is TMJ anyway?

TMJ (Temporomandibular Jaw Dysfunction) is not a lone disorder, but a group of painful jaw issues that can be a result of dental issues, trauma, postural issues, or a psychiatric condition. Some symptoms of TMJ include

pain tmj
  • Swelling
  • Neck & shoulder pain
  • Chronic stress
  • Severe headaches
  • Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, ear ache
  • Jaw clicking or popping
  • Finger numbness or tingling
  • Jaw pain or difficulty chewing

What does this mean for you?

Basically, when your jaw muscles become weak or tired, pain can begin to radiate and shoot down your neck, shoulders, and arms. If you are experiencing unresolved neck pain, it could be due to TMJ. Addressing your posture and jaw alignment will likely help strengthen your jaw muscles, but it may take specific TMJ treatment for you to finally find some pain relief.

Without treatment, you may likely end up causing a chain reaction of joint and muscle dysfunction throughout your body, resulting in chronic pain. So if you have experienced any of the above symptoms and are still unable to find a solution, be sure to contact TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama.

A message from Dr. Amy Hartsfield:

At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, our mission is to provide personalized care to restore quality of life, one patient at a time. If you are experiencing issues with sleep, don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment!