Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is not felt only in the jaw. It can also present as headache, a feeling of pressure in the ear, neck tension and facial asymmetry.
1The goal is not just to relax the jaw
In an osteopathic assessment, the following are checked alongside the jaw:
- Mobility of the cranial bones
- The cervical vertebrae, especially the atlas
- Chewing muscles — masseter, temporalis, pterygoid group
- Posture and the position of the head relative to the body
- Breathing mechanics
- Level of tension in the nervous system
2The link with dental treatment
Teeth can be straightened. But if the cause does not change, the body may return to its old compensations. That is why it is helpful to assess structural balance alongside orthodontic treatment.
We look not at where the pain is, but at where it comes from.
— Dr. Elfana Suleymanova, Center Director · Internist and osteopathic physician
Related conditions
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Sources and further reading
- Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) — NHS (Böyük Britaniya)