Are you stresses? Problems with TMJ?

Problems with the Temporomandibular Joint and Jaw Muscles

Jaw pain, clicking when opening the mouth, headaches, facial tension, or difficulty opening the mouth are common symptoms associated with the temporomandibular joint. At first glance, it may seem that the problem lies within the joint itself. However, the real cause is often overworked jaw muscles and increased muscle tension.

What is the temporomandibular joint?

The temporomandibular joint is a paired joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It allows us to speak, bite, chew, swallow, and yawn. It is one of the most frequently used joints in the human body and works together with several powerful chewing muscles during every movement. For the joint to function properly, the joint itself, the surrounding muscles, and the nervous system must all work in harmony. When this balance is disrupted, pain, restricted movement, or unpleasant sounds when opening the mouth may occur.

Why do the jaw muscles become tense?

One of the most common causes of these problems is chronically increased tension in the jaw muscles. Many people are not even aware that they unconsciously clench their teeth or tighten their jaw throughout the day. We encounter this more frequently in people who are more sensitive to stress, tend to analyse everything, overthink problems, and remain in a prolonged state of alertness. In these individuals, the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body to cope with stress, is more active. One of its manifestations can be unconscious jaw clenching and overloading of the chewing muscles. Symptoms may also worsen during the winter months. When we feel cold, we naturally raise our shoulders, tighten our neck muscles, and often clench our teeth more than usual. Although this protective mechanism helps maintain body temperature, it also increases the load on the temporomandibular joint and the surrounding muscles.

What are the most common symptoms?

Temporomandibular joint and jaw muscle disorders may present in various ways:

• Jaw pain
• Headache
• Clicking or popping in the joint
• Limited or painful mouth opening
• Headaches, especially around the temples
• Pain radiating to the ear without signs of an ear disorder
• Increased tension in the neck and shoulders

Because the jaw is closely connected to the cervical spine and neck muscles, symptoms are often present beyond the joint itself.

How can physiotherapy help?

In most cases, these symptoms are primarily caused by muscle overload and impaired muscle coordination. Manual physiotherapy can effectively reduce muscle tension, restore normal joint function, and relieve pain.

Treatment may include:

• Manual release of the jaw muscles
• Trigger point therapy
• Post-isometric relaxation
• Mobilisation of the temporomandibular joint
• Treatment of the cervical spine and surrounding soft tissues
• Retraining of proper jaw movement and an individual exercise programme

An important part of treatment is also identifying the causes of muscle overload, such as poor movement patterns, posture, or chronic stress.

The importance of awareness and stress management

For many patients, simply releasing the overloaded muscles is not enough. It is equally important to learn to recognise the moments during the day when they unconsciously clench their teeth or tighten their jaw. Learning to consciously relax the jaw, practising breathing exercises, and using mindfulness techniques are all effective parts of treatment that help reduce overall muscle tension. In the resting position, the lips should be gently closed, the teeth should not be touching, and the tongue should rest lightly against the roof of the mouth. Combining manual therapy, active exercise, and greater body awareness provides the best long-term results in most cases and significantly reduces the risk of symptoms returning.