Temporomandibular joint disease or TMJ is a dysfunction of the jaw joint. It is characterized by jaw pain or popping/clicking, and an inability to open the mouth fully. The pain may spread to the ears, neck, and shoulders and cause a cervicogenic headache. TMJ may be associated with dental problems, grinding of teeth, emotional strain, or hyper tonicity and imbalance of the chewing muscles.
Symptoms:
- Pain increases with chewing and talking
- Cannot open mouth fully
- Cervicogenic headaches or pain in the ear, eye, neck, head and shoulders