Are you suffering from neck pain, but can’t figure out the cause? It’s possible that your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the culprit. Experts estimate that 70% of neck problems are related to the TMJ.
In some cases, an issue with your TMJ causes pain in your neck. In other cases, an issue with your neck irritates your TMJ. No matter where the problem originates, TMJ neck problems can be a painful condition that is highly disruptive to your life.
Let’s explain the link between the TMJ and neck pain, and how you can prevent it from happening.
Connection Between TMJ and Neck Pain
The jaw and neck structures are connected, so problems with one can directly impact the other.
Temporomandibular or TMJ disorder (TMD) is a range of conditions that cause pain in your TMJ and limit your jaw mobility. It can’t be said with certainty that TMD can lead to neck pain or vice versa but numerous scientific studies have documented that those that suffer from either TMD or neck pain are much more likely to experience the other.
Studies performed as early as 1998 indicated that cervical instability was a common comorbidity that was often identified in people with TMJ disorders when diagnosed. Between 2 participating groups, the group that was observed with TMD was significantly more likely to experience neck discomfort that was caused by increased tension in muscle groups tied to both areas of the body.
What is the Temporomandibular Joint?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge type joint that connects the back of your jawbone to your skull. You have two TMJs in your body, one on each side of your jaw, and they allow you to move your mouth up and down and side to side. The TMJ also has a disc that stabilizes the joint and absorbs shock and impact from movement.
Let’s break down the word “temporomandibular” so you can understand where your TMJ is located.
Temporal Bone
“Temporo” refers to your temporal bone. You have two of them, one near your left ear and one near your right ear. Place your hand on your temple and move it down a little bit until you feel the bone—that’s the temporal bone.
Mandible
“Mandibular” refers to your mandible. The mandible is your lower jawbone that holds your bottom row of teeth. It can move up and down to allow you to chew and talk.
The mandible is shaped like a “U.” At the top of both sides of the “U” are structures that connect your lower jaw to your skull. There are structures in the front and back. The front structures are muscles called the “coronoids.” The TMJ is located on the back side.
TMJ
The temporomandibular joint is where the temporal bone and mandible come together. The TMJ is a “synovial joint” which means there’s strong fibers on the outside and a space in between that contains the disc and fluid.
A variety of muscles are connected to the TMJ. When one of these muscles becomes too tight or unbalanced, it’ll cause problems in the TMJ.
Types of TMJ Dysfunction That Can Result in Neck Pain
While a TMD resulting in neck pain could be caused by any series of potential conditions, the most common actions that contribute to TMJ related neck pain include how the jaw normally move up and down or the displacement of the joint disc.
Protrusive Jaw Opening Pattern
Protrusive jaw opening pattern occurs when the muscles surrounding your TMJ operate out of sequence. This typically happens when one muscle group that supports TMJ movement overcompensates for the other muscle groups and becomes so strong that the muscle group takes over jaw opening and closing.
The normal sequence of actions that occurs when an individual opens or closes their mouth starts with the condyle rotating in the cupped area of the temporal bone before protracting. When the jaw protracts, the lower jaw moves forward in a biting pattern. This action is supported by helper muscles called lateral pterygoids. When protrusive jaw opening pattern occurs, the lateral pterygoids are so tight that they change the sequence of events which can lead to problems with the disc that supports both the temporal and mandibular bones in the TMJ.
Disc Displacement with Reduction
“Disc displacement with reduction” is one of the most common TMJ problems. The disc in your TMJ might receive unusual pressure when the muscles in your jaw are too tight or unbalanced. The muscles exert too much force on the disc, which may push the disc out of position.
If you’re suffering from disc displacement with reduction, you might hear a popping noise when you move your jaw, or feel pain when you talk, chew, or yawn.
If left untreated, this dysfunction will advance to a second stage called “disc displacement without reduction.” You’ll have popping noises when you move your jaw,
but your jaw may also become prone to locking up. The dysfunction moves into the third stage when the problem is diagnosed as chronic.
How Does TMD Impact Neck Pain?
Your craniofacial structures are connected to your neck, shoulders, and upper back. So, a TMJ dysfunction could cause pain in your neck and throughout your upper body. Muscle tension near your TMJ can create a ripple effect that spreads through your upper body and causes tension in other muscles, like those in your neck and shoulders.
The reverse can also be true. Muscle tension that originates in your neck and shoulders can work its way up to your TMJ and cause problems there.
It’s possible your neck / TMJ pain is caused by one of two common upper body misalignments:
- Kyphosis: Kyphosis is when you have a rounded upper back. This forces your head downward, and you ultimately strain your neck by having to look upward to see.
- Forward Head Posture: You develop forward head posture when your head is frequently positioned in front of your shoulders. This is a common posture with people who work all day on computers and can result in neck and TMJ pain.
Other Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction
Apart from neck pain, you might encounter the following symptoms if you have a TMJ dysfunction:
- Ear pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Pain in your jaw or shoulders
- Clicking or popping when you move your jaw
- Frequent headaches
- Dizziness
- Changes in your bite
- Vision problems
What Can You Do About Neck Pain Caused by TMJ?
If you think you’re suffering from TMJ neck pain, it’s best to see a TMJ specialist as soon as possible before the problem worsens. TMJ specialists have expertise in diagnosing and treating problems related to your TMJ and other facial structures.
TMJ specialists can help you figure out exactly what’s causing your dysfunction and prescribe the necessary treatments to ease the pain and soothe your jaw muscles. Treatments may involve:
- Jaw movement exercises
- Muscle relaxers
- Mouth guards
- Posture training
- Physical therapy
Surgery may be required in more serious cases, but surgical treatment is rare.
How Can You Prevent TMJ Related Neck Pain?
There are a few ways you can prevent TMJ neck pain in the first place:
- Maintain good posture, especially if you have a desk job
- Exercise and stretch the muscles in your neck and jaw
- Avoid clenching the jaw (people often clench their jaw when they’re stressed—try using a stress ball instead)
- Avoid chewing gum or eating too many hard or chewy foods
- Stop biting your nails
- Wear a mouthguard at night to avoid teeth grinding
Contact Dr. Omrani if You Have been Dealing with TMJ-Related Neck Pain
If you’re suffering from pain in your neck, jaw, or upper body, don’t hesitate to contact our Los Angeles clinic today. Dr. Omrani and her team of TMJ experts will figure out exactly what’s causing your discomfort. We can ease the facial pain and give you strategies on how to prevent it from reoccurring.
TMJ Neck Pain FAQs
What does TMJ neck pain feel like?
TMJ-related pain can occur in the neck, shoulders, jaw, ears, and upper body. Although the TMJ is near your ears, it’s connected to most of the structures in your upper body so you could feel pain in several different places.
How do you treat TMJ neck pain?
A TMJ specialist can provide you with TMJ neck pain relief. Common treatments include:
• Muscle relaxers
• Maintaining good posture
• Wearing a mouthguard
• Avoiding hard and chewy foods
• Muscle injections/trigger point injections
Where does your neck hurt with TMJ?
The TMJ is connected to many different structures in your upper body, so when it’s irritated you can feel pain anywhere from your ears to your neck to your shoulders.
How long does TMJ neck pain last?
Mild TMJ irritation or inflammation can subside quickly with the right treatments, although chronic TMJ problems may require long-term treatment or even surgery. It’s always best to consult with a TMJ specialist if you’re dealing with TMJ-related pain.
