Managing TMJ Dysfunction
Posted On: March 13, 2026 by Robert Matijevich
Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a broad term that encompasses disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its associated anatomical structures. The TMJ is made up of the lower jaw bone (mandible) and the socket on the skull (temporal bone). There is a disc in between these two bones to allow the joint to open and close smoothly. TMD can be caused by a combination of factors such as overactivity of the jaw muscles (sometimes from continuous grinding or clenching of the teeth), trauma, osteoarthritis, or stiffness and dysfunction of the neck. There is a strong correlation between postural impairment of the neck and TMD. TMD is also twice as common in women.
Signs and symptoms of TMD can include pain in the joint or facial muscles, clicking/grinding/locking in the jaw, headaches, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, pain when chewing on hard food or yawning, and pain/fullness of the ear.
Management and treatment of TMD can include surgical and conservative approaches. Nonsurgical treatment will typically involve behavioral modification strategies, physical therapy, and medication management. Avoiding certain activities and modifying behaviors can help decrease symptoms of TMD. Examples include using your teeth as tools (like tearing off clothing tags), chewing on pens, pencils or other items, chewing on ice or excessively chewing gum, and opening the jaw widely (taking big bites of food). Sometimes TMD can be exacerbated by poor sitting or sleeping posture or by straining/craning your neck. Working on postural exercises and being mindful of neck position can help improve TMD symptoms. Medication management can include use of anti inflammatories (NSAIDS) as well as antidepressants to address stress related clinching of the jaw. Dental appliances and bite guards are also a strategy used to decrease wear on the teeth and decrease pain associated with TMD. These appliances are typically worn at night to address nocturnal grinding and clenching of the teeth. Physical therapy intervention for TMJ can include stretching to restore range of the motion in the joint, manual therapy or dry needling to decrease muscular tightness and spasms as well as modalities such as heat, ice, and electrical stimulation to decrease inflammation and pain.
Surgical intervention is typically a last resort if conservative treatment has failed or is unsuccessful. Talking to your dentist, physical therapist or primary care physician can help you identify if you have TMD and determine your best treatment approach.
