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TMJ is a well-known abbreviation for, Temporomandibular joint disorder, a disorder that targets the joint found between the back of the jaw and the skull, the
temporomandibular joint. According to Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology, TMJ affects more than 10 million Americans. This disorder causes a variety of
symptoms however, this disorder can mainly be associated to cause anxiety.
Anxiety is a progressive condition that may progress throughout an individual’s life according to the experiences they face or as a direct result of genetics. Apart from these factors, anxiety may develop through other factors
including Temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition can be difficult to
experience on its own and its associated symptoms, along with anxiety, can
challenge any person’s lifestyle.
However, TMJ doesn’t always cause anxiety, but it can worsen
anxiety if it was already present.
TMJ and its Symptoms
Symptoms for temporomandibular joint disorder include several types of pain, from jaw pain to face pain and headaches. Long-term
symptoms of pain can often lead to anxiety due to how each individual's body uniquely responds to the stress of frequent pain. Furthermore, because there are numerous nerves and blood vessels that travel through the back of the jaw, TMJ can cause damage resulting in numbness and dizziness, adding additional stress to the body. Tinnitus, a ringing in the ear that the majority of
people can tune out, may appear unusually loud to someone with TMJ, enough so that the ringing disrupts sleep and causes distractions.
Studies also suggest that in turn, first experiencing anxiety can also cause the
development of Temporomandibular joint disorder, which may cause the
development of even more anxiety. Many people with this condition experience
significant clenching of the jaw, especially during sleep, and its possible
that this may lead to an increase in TMJ symptoms.
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| Physical therapy massage for treating TMJ |
The symptoms for temporomandibular joint disorder can be alleviated and treated through a series of specialized soft tissue physical therapy massages, specifically designed for TMJ pain and dysfunction. The massages focus on relieving trigger point tension on the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles in the jaw, as well as the two palatani muscles. By massaging these set of muscles, the symptoms associated with TMJ may gradually decrease, also possibly improving levels of anxiety.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
