What is TMJ & TMD?

TMD stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and refers to any painful condition that relates to the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. Colloquially, many people refer to these conditions as TMJ (Themporomandibular Joint), but the correct medical term is TMD. Many factors can lead to TMD pain including acute injury, whiplash, grinding your teeth, and arthritis, to name a few.

The symptoms of TMJ can include any or all of the following:

Pain in the jaw or face

Inability to open or close your mouth fully (aka “lock jaw”)

Popping, clicking, or cracking sounds in your jaw joints while chewing

Swelling or tenderness on the sides of your face

Headaches or toothaches

Some cases of TMD cause no symptoms, or resolve on their own given time. Other patients experience extreme pain and need to be treated for the condition.

Treatment Options for TMD

Treating jaw pain and TMD requires an accurate diagnosis. Your dentist will check for TMJ issues during routine checkups. Tell them if you are experiencing any TMD related symptoms. If so you may need to see a pain management physician for full treatment. You can attempt to resolve jaw pain symptoms with DIY treatments like over-the-counter medications, ice packs, and relaxation techniques. If these methods don’t work, you may need to consider prescription meds, trigger point injections, or regenerative medicine therapies like PRP or prolotherapy.

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been assisting Minnesotans with their jaw pain for over two decades. Our Twin Cities pain management doctors have the knowledge and experience to help craft a treatment plan that fits your specific needs. Contact our clinic today to set up your appointment.

If you’ve ever known someone who has claimed to be double jointed – they most likely have a condition known as joint hypermobility syndrome (“double jointed” is not the preferred medical term). In this article, we are going to talk about the causes and symptoms of joint hypermobility syndrome, and also go over some of the treatment methods for this condition.

What is Hypermobility Syndrome?

Joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition in which a person’s joints are able to move beyond the normal range of motion. The cause of the condition is not fully understood, but it is often passed down through specific genes from parents to their children.

Symptoms of hypermobility syndrome can include any of the following:

The ability to touch your forearm with your thumb
The ability to place both hands flat on the ground without bending your knees
Scoliosis or spinal curvature

As our bodies age we become less flexible. As a result, most people with joint hypermobility syndrome will see the condition dissipate over time.

Treating Hypermobility Syndrome

Most cases of joint hypermobility syndrome do not present with any symptoms. In these cases, treatment is not necessary. However, some patients with the condition experience pain and other issues. Patients with hypermobile joints are also more susceptible to injury. In these instances treatment is focused on reducing pain and other symptoms through the use of pain medications, physical therapy exercises, and joint injections.

Although most cases of joint hypermobility syndrome are symptomless, some patients can experience mild to severe pain as a result of the condition. If you are one of these patients, consult with a skilled pain management physician to discuss your treatment options. The physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been providing pain relief to Minnesotans with painful conditions for over two decades. Contact our office to set up your appointment today and get on the road to a pain free life.

TMJ, TMD & Jaw Pain

What is TMJ & TMD?

Treatment Options for TMD

Hypermobility Syndrome & Joint Pain

What is Hypermobility Syndrome?

Treating Hypermobility Syndrome