Headaches. Toothaches. Earaches. We all get them. But, when the pain is persistent and its source can’t be identified, the problem might actually be coming from your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), the structures that connect your jaw to your head. These two little joints that sit in front of your ears are among the most complicated in the body and cause nearly 35 million Americans great pain and suffering.
TMJs are different from the body’s other joints because they use a combination of hinge and sliding motions. When these joints and the jaw’s controlling muscles work well, they control a person’s ability to talk, chew and yawn. When they aren’t working properly, TMJs can cause a variety of painful symptoms.
