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connect pathways to parenting e xperiencing any weird sound a
joint
makes is never a pleasant experience, but when it?s coupled with
pain
, limited movement, and tenderness, it?s even more unpleasant. if you?ve been experiencing these symptoms in your jaw bone area, it?s possible that you have temporomandibular
joint
dysfunction or
tmj
. the temporomandibular
joint
is located at the base of your temple by the ear. it?s the
joint
that allows your lower jaw bone to move freely up and down. if this becomes inflamed or otherwise stops working correctly, this can cause the clicking or
pain
associated with
tmj
. the main signs of
tmj
are a clicking sound or grating feeling when the mouth is opened to speak or chew. if there?s no
pain
or limited movement when this happens, then it?s likely that you won?t need treatment for
tmj
disorder, just as long as your symptoms stay
pain
free. according to physical therapist colleen wilbert, the most common cause of
tmj
is stress. wilbert says, ?if it?s stress related, counseling may be needed. moreover, a pt can help with stress relief with diaphragmatic breathing.? other symptoms of
tmj
include
pain
in the jaw, aching ear
pain
, difficulty chewing, general facial
pain
, and locking of the temporomandibular
joint
. if you have these symptoms, reach out to your doctor, dentist, or a
tmj
specialist. during diagnosis of
tmj
, an x-ray, cat scan, or mri may be required depending on what the doctor thinks is causing the inflammation or
joint
issue. medications such as anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxers, therapy, or certain surgical procedures are used to treat
tmj
, depending on the severity of the condition and how your body will respond to certain treatments. if the
tmj
is stress related, wilbert says that the easiest fix is a physical therapist who can assess any restrictions that are preventing correct breathing, and help restore the proper breathing pattern through correct instruction, manual therapy and stretching. certain alternative remedies, such as diet change and acupuncture, could also be recommended, even if you do not have
pain
ful symptoms. while
tmj
may seem like a scary thing, there are treatments and many resources available, both traditional and alternative, so you can get on your way to healing. ?
tmj
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