Trigger points in the muscles that control TMJ joint can cause pain in the mouth, jaw and teeth. TMJ stands for the Temporomandibular joint. This joint is the 'hinge' of the jaw joint - a very complex joint that has characteristics unlike any other joint in the body.
What makes the jaw joint unique is that it's part of a pair. You have two joints to hinge the jaw - one on the right and one on the left. They need to move and work in perfect unison for you to chew properly.
This means a lot of subtle movement in the jaw muscles - as well as a lot of strength required for chewing. Because it is so mobile, this jaw joint requires several muscles to operate it - the pterygoids (lateral and medial) the temporalis, and the masseter. And any or all of these muscles can get triggers.
The strange thing about trigger points in the TMJ joint muscles is that they refer pain to unexpected places. Sometimes they can refer pain into your mouth and teeth - feeling exactly like tooth ache. At other times, tmj trigger points can cause pain in the tongue and jaw joint.
People have even had extensive dental work done - only to find out that it was trigger points that were causing their tooth pain.
How do you know whether trigger points or a problem in your jaw joint itself that is causing your pain? The simple solution is this - if you press on an active point, you can recreate the pain that it causes.
So - how do you know where the triggers may be? The answer to this isn't quite as simple. This is because points (very small areas of spasm within the muscle) can refer pain to places outside of that muscle.
Fortunately, the area that each point refers pain is constant - that is, each point will refer pain to the same area - even for different people. These pain referral areas have been well researched and documented.
Check out this free trigger point tool (http://triggerpointmaps.com/) to find out where the tmj trigger points are. Look for the lateral and medial pterygoid muscles, the temporalis and the masseter. Don't try to dwell on the pain because there is always a way to get out from it. On the link I have given above, you will learn how you can release triggers effectively all by yourself.
To release trigger points in the muscles of the TMJ joint, there are several ways. The first and simplest way is something you can try yourself. Using your fingers you can switch off the triggers using the principle of ischemic pressure.
This technique needs to be applied very gently, but it is remarkably effective. You are reducing blood supply to the muscle for 90-120 seconds. This has the effect of 'resetting' the message that has sent the muscle into spasm. To see a video tutorial of this, try Ischemic Trigger Release at lifeafterpain.com
Click here for more information on how to treat tmj trigger points yourself.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naomi_Kendell
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