Are Your Headaches Actually TMJ

Are Your Headaches Actually TMJ?
Headaches can run the gamut from a minor nuisance to debilitating and
disabling. Getting at the source of the headache can be no small task. But
knowing that pain is always an indicator of a cause-effect relationship is a
good place to start.
So what might be the cause-effect relationship of many of the headaches
that people suffer? It’s called TMJ!
The good news is that TMJ can easily be cured without drugs or devices.
The source of many events in the body- good or bad- comes from the head
and neck. And anything that interferes with how the head and neck function
will likely cause some frustrating, or even debilitating, problems over time.
Chronic headache is one of those problems that can be caused by simple
body mechanics- and not necessarily a chemical thing inside the brain.
According to some health experts, the source of what is likely a huge
percentage of most headache pain is actually a misalignment of the
temporomandibular joint, or TMJ.
The acronym TMJ doesn’t just refer to the actual joint. It more commonly
refers to the misalignment itself, and the collection of symptoms that result
from it.
The joint connects the lower jaw, or mandible, to the skull with muscles and
connective tissue running up to the temples. These are the muscles you
can see moving over the temples when you are chewing your food – and
sometimes massage in an effort to stop a headache.
If a person’s joint is not properly aligned, it puts undue strain on the
muscles, nerves, vessels, and other tissues running through the head and
neck.
What causes the misalignment? Many things. If you notice any of these
problems and you also suffer from headache, you might need to take steps
to correct your TMJ.
The most easily spotted is having poor posture. If your head spends more
time hung over a computer or other device (cell phone, anyone?) than it
does centered between and over the shoulders, you are creating a
misalignment of the TMJ.
Sometimes anatomy causes it for us, as with people who have bite
problems. Your dentist or orthodontist will usually be able to spot this
anatomical cause of TMJ.
Another issue is daytime or nighttime grinding. There are a variety of
reasons this happens, but it contributes to TMJ problems, so stopping this
reflexive habit will be critical if you suffer headaches.
Many times a person’s first indication of TMJ misalignment is a popping or
catching of the jaw. You may feel it or even hear it happening.
The best part of the problem with TMJ headaches is that they can actually
be corrected using simple exercises. These exercises loosen up the
muscles around the jaw, leading the joint into the right position.
Learn more about the easy TMJ exercises here and try them out for
yourself
If TMJ does however not cause your headaches, do not despair. All
headaches can actually be permanently prevented by loading up on
this free ingredient