It’s fair to say, that the TMJ (temporomandibular joint), otherwise known as the jaw, is somewhat of an enigma within the healthcare arena. Many people struggle to get answers for their jaw symptoms. Why is the TMJ so difficult to treat and why does it appear to hold so much tension?The key to understanding lies in it’s complex biomechanics (the way it moves), it’s susceptibility to other health issues, and the cross-over into the scope of multiple healthcare professionals.The TMJ is both resilient and vulnerable at the same time. To really understand how this statement can be true, we need to understand the TMJ structure and its place in the body.Excluding the obvious impact of direct trauma to the jaw, what can affect the TMJ?
- Stress and anxiety- Mouth breathing- Posture (particularly forward head posture)- A narrow palate (jaw underdevelopment)- Some medications (particularly anti-depressants)- Tight and imbalanced musculature and fascia- Vitamin deficiencies- Hormones (Oestrogen)- Nasal obstruction and allergies- Tongue and orofacial function- Tongue ties- Sleeping habits- Dentition/occlusion- Sleep disordered breathing/airway resistance- The central nervous system- Possibly parasites (research in inconclusive)- Pelvic floor muscles