TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Syndrome and Migraine Syndrome
"Ouch! My ear hurts like crazy. I have been noticing my jaw
popping occasionally. I hope I am not going to need another root
canal. That last root canal really hurt twice. I am not sure
which hurt worse: my mouth or my pocketbook. If I had a fever, I
would swear I had an ear infection. I am going to the doctor and
get a prescription of antibiotics. Maybe that will help."
This patient has TMJ, temporomandibular joint syndrome.
Antibiotics are only required if the patient has subsequent
tooth abscess. I cannot begin to tell you how many patients I
have seen who would demand antibiotics to treat this
non-infectious condition. TMJ is extremely common in the
migraine syndrome (explained below). The muscle tightness in the
upper neck just below the mastoid process (part of skull behind
the ear) also correlates well to the tightness in the temple and
jaw muscle. I found it extremely rare for a patient to have TMJ
and not have migraines. Usually a severe cross bite or other
malformation of the mouth would be present if the patient did
not have migraines. This person falls into the migraine syndrome
profile. Let me explain what I mean by the migraine syndrome. It
is the outward expression of the body's sensitivity to light,
sound, smell, food, and/or stress. Some people are more
sensitive than others; therefore, their reactions to different
stimuli are greater. This sensitivity can be manifested in the
body as migraines, sinus headaches, neck aches, palpitations,
irritable bowel syndrome, motion sickness or vertigo, reactive
hypoglycemia, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), panic
attacks, and/or fibromyalgia. Now that's a mouthful!
Understanding what is going on with you is very important in the
healing process. ENT surgeons, dentists, physical therapists,
psychologists can all play a role in treatment of TMJ. A
headache specialist that understands the role of migraine
syndrome in TMJ or an enlightened primary care physician can
make the difference in your outcome.