Having pain with eating or talking does not feel good. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is the new terminology for a group of multi-factorial conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)(1). TMD has been researched throughout various possible conditions and causes: whiplash, pregnancy, obesity, and even bleeding disorders. Vanlesan et al (2021) notes the prevalence to be around 31.1% for adults and 11% for children. Haggman-Henrikson et al (2025) found through a systematic review and meta-analysis on whiplash trauma being a risk factor for TMD that the mean prevalence was 18.9% in acute cases, 26.8% in chronic cases, and 5.7% in controls. What this highlights is that TMD affects the population both natively and post a traumatic injury to the head and neck.

Further, TMD has been generally classified into three basic categories: type 1 (muscle disorders), type 2 (disk displacement with and without reduction), and type 3 (any joint pain) (1). To simplify, the muscles need for chewing, the disc that sits between the jaw bone and the skull, and the joint capsule (tissue that hold the joint together) are all part of TMD. The goal is to determine the structure causing the pain. As with most other conditions in the body, the longer the condition, the harder it becomes to find a solution. The good thing is that muscularly, the lateral pterygoid, due to its connections to the joint and the articular disc, plays a key role with TMD (1). However, research provides little support for exercise, manual therapy, splints, laser therapy, ultrasound, TENS, and iontophoresis (4).

 

References

1. Butts R, Dunning J, Perreault T, Mettille J, Escaloni J. Pathoanatomical characteristics of temporomandibular dysfunction: Where do we stand? (Narrative review part 1). J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2017;21(3):534-540. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.05.017

2. Valesan LF, Da-Cas CD, Réus JC, et al. Prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2021;25(2):441-453. doi:10.1007/s00784-020-03710-w

3. Häggman-Henrikson B, Lövgren A, Wu WY, Peck C, Westergren H, List T. Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorder Symptoms After Whiplash Trauma-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Eur J Pain. 2025;29(3):e4792. doi:10.1002/ejp.4792

4. Butts R, Dunning J, Pavkovich R, Mettille J, Mourad F. Conservative management of temporomandibular dysfunction: A literature review with implications for clinical practice guidelines (Narrative review part 2). J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2017;21(3):541-548. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.05.021

 

TMD is not complicated and takes the proper techniques to manage appropriately.

The research does support (1):

  • Non-thrust and high velocity low amplitude thrust manipulation to the TMJ and cervical spine (neck)
  • Dry Needling or Acupuncture to the TMJ and lateral pterygoid

Sometimes there is more going on than just the TMD. At The SHOP, we are well versed in the various means to measure, provide a physical therapy diagnosis, and treatments to get the TMJ working again and with less pain.

If you live in Springfield, MO and the surrounding area, let The SHOP help treat your TMD/TMJ pain. Do you want to learn more or get started with treatment? 

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