Jaw pain is pain in the temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ.  Alterations in  the function of this joint is called temporomandibular dysfunction or TMD.  So, TMJ is the joint and TMD is the diagnosis of the painful  condition and jaw pain is the symptom.

Jaw pain can be debilitating or just annoying.  One of the more common causes is grinding or clenching your teeth at night. This is often a response to stress in our over-scheduled lives.

The dysfunction in the jaws can also cause a “clicking” or “clunk” when you open or close your mouth.  This is made worse by eating hard foods or foods where you have to open your mouth very wide – like a carrot or a  large hamburger.  Chewing gum can also aggravate the condition.

Some physical therapists specialize in treatment of this condition.  We can correct the postural components that aggravate the problem and release the tight muscles that occur.  Modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation and cold laser treatments can help ease the inflammation and pain.  Exercises to stretch and strengthen your neck and jaw are an important component.