When people first learn that the pain they have been feeling in their jaw, neck and shoulders is caused by a condition called TMJ they often ask, "What is TMJ"? TMJ is Temporo Mandibular joint syndrome.
It is caused by one of a combination of factors can lead to chronic pain in the area of the Tempro Mandibular joint and can even lead to neck and head pain, difficulty eating and even pain in the shoulders.
Causes can include problem in the alignment of the joint itself, pain caused by overexertion of the muscles that move the joint such as that caused by grinding the teeth, and destruction of the joint caused by a disease such as arthritis.
If you suspect that you have Temporo Mandibular joint syndrome, then you should see your doctor as a serious underlying medical condition could also be the cause.
Immediate treatment of Temporo Mandibular joint syndrome pain may include aspirin, muscle relaxants, and warming of the jaw muscles.
Your doctor may recommend that you eat soft foods, don't grind your teeth or clench your jaw, and don't chew gum to decrease stress placed on the Temporo Mandibular joint.
If this does not help with your pain, then injections of anesthetics or steroids may also be tried.
Reducing your daily psychological stress may also help a patient to decrease TMJ joint pain.
If this conservative treatment does not provide sufficient relief, then you doctor may refer you to a surgeon who has experience with TMJ surgeries.
A variety of surgical procedures exist which may involve removing material from the joint space, to trying to reconstruct the joint.
Surgery should only be considered as a last option after conservative treatment has failed because the joint surgery may fail to provide relief or cause serious complications.
In addition to traditional medicine many TMJ sufferers find relief through a combination of massage, physical therapy, and exercises designed to strengthen the jaw and the surrounding joints and muscles.
Many times relief can be found through these alternative treatments which can eliminate the cost and risk of drugs, surgeries, or other conventional treatments.