TMJ Dysfunction


What is the TMJ?

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. It is where the mandible (jaw bone) meets the temporal bone of the skull.

How does the TMJ function?

As you open your mouth, the mandibular (lower jaw) bone rolls and glides forward on against the socket (within the temporal bone of your skull). If you place your fingers just in front of your lower ear and open and close your mouth you can feel this complex movement occurring.

The TMJ is one of the most used joints in the body- we rely on it for basic life functions like talking and eating.

What causes TMJ pain?

  • Stress

  • Arthritis

  • Clenching of the jaw

  • Bruxism (teeth grinding)

  • Trauma to the chin or jaw

  • Displacement of the articular disc

  • Inflammatory joint diseases (e.g gout)

  • Indirect trauma (e.g whiplash to neck)

Just to name a few! The complex nature of the TMJ joint can result in a range of contributing pain factors.

Treatment of the TMJ

Depending on the root cause of pain, an Osteopath will use a range of techniques to help restore healthy function to the TMJ. This could involve internal or external soft tissue work and gentle manipulation.

The neck will often be treated in conjunction with the jaw, as dysfunction of the neck can often affect the jaw, and vice versa.

Sometimes we will also treat the muscles inside the mouth (with gloves on of course!), which can be intense but incredibly effective at releasing tension.

Elizabeth Dwyer