Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction begin to develop when the jaw joints are forced out of alignment, the jaw and teeth become mal-position as a result of genetic, nutritional and behavioral factors and loss of some teeth. The teeth dictate the position of the jaw, mal-aligned teeth will not properly support the jaws in a balanced position. Once the jaws are unbalanced, the whole body tense up to shares the strain of the imbalance. The jaw joint act as the center of the body balance, the head weighs 9 to 14 pounds and it is balanced by seven cervical of the neck vertebrae - that balanced is maintain by the lower jaw and its muscles acting as a counter weight for the rest of the skull. When the jaw is in proper position, the head rest comfortably on the neck and shoulders, if the lower jaw is forced out of placed, the head will be thrown out of balance and all the muscles supporting it will have to strain to keep it in position on the neck, so all the muscles in the head, neck and shoulders tense up, then the muscles in the rest on the body are forced to share the stress in and around the head and they tense up too. Stress is another force that leads people to insult the muscles around the jaw joints; poor posture is another common culprit. When tensed muscles are further strained by any bad habits, they go into spasm and pain. The muscles will tighten up so hard that the body won't be able to circulate through them properly, without sufficient circulation, tissues can't be nourished and one begins to develop those little knots of degenerated tissue resulting to pain producing trigger points. Muscle spasm and trigger points can occur in any part of the body as a result of stress and associated jaw and skeletal imbalanced, the pain and other symptoms arising from these spastics muscles make up the TMJ syndrome or TMJ disorder. Common complaint include sharp pains deep behind the eyes and in temple area, earache, pain in the jaw joint, headache in one or both sides of the head or pain in the neck, there may be stiffness in the neck and shoulders, even pain radiating in the arms and hands. The jaw imbalance can create a click, grating or crackling sounds when opening and closing of the mouth. Hearing may be impaired, sinuses always clogged and presence of sore throat without infection, dizziness occur frequently. This TMJ syndrome can be relieved by proper positioning of the jaw by mandibular repositioning appliance making the strained muscles relaxed and rehabilitated and to reprogram jaw movement. Exercise of the neck and chiropractic manipulation is another way of making the strained muscles of the neck relax but the jaw should be repositioned first. When pain and discomfort is felt outside of the oral cavity, the patient usually seeks the help of medical doctors. If the etiology of the symptoms is outside the working knowledge of the medical practitioner or specialist, long and lasting relief may not be possible. It is only then that dental, chiropractic and nutritional approach should not be taken for granted.
