TMJ and the Neck

Many people with neck pain will visit their doctor and receive a diagnosis related to the cervical spine, the part of the spine in the neck area. However, neck symptoms are often misdiagnosed, as many medical professionals overlook the jaw when diagnosing neck issues. As a result, painful TMJ neck symptoms may go undiagnosed for months, years, or even decades.

For many individuals, TMJ dysfunction in Kansas City occurs when one or more of the muscles that support the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are not functioning properly. The musculoskeletal system operates as a whole, meaning that misalignment of the TMJ can influence other muscles that affect the position of your jaw, head, neck, and upper body. This is one of the key reasons why dysfunction of the TMJ can impact so many other areas of the head and body.

The muscle tension, weakness, and dysfunction originating at the TMJ can be transmitted to your neck, shoulders, upper back (thoracic area), and even the lower back (lumbosacral area). TMJ treatment in Kansas City is crucial for diagnosing and addressing these interconnected symptoms, providing you with the relief you need.

Further Explanation of TMJ Neck Pain

When you have TMJ, the inflammation within the temporomandibular joint on either side of your face will likely spread, and as the inflammation spreads, it moves along the nerves and muscles in the head area. As this occurs, TMJ sufferers feel pain in areas outside of the jaw, like the neck and upper body.

Inflammation that spreads into muscles, ligaments, and tendons tends to have a tight dull aching sensation in the TMJ, and the pain can be severe at times. This type of pain is often accompanied by muscle tightness that will be felt in the temple, the face, and even the neck. Simply put, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder affects much more than the joints of the jaw.

Due to the varied symptoms that may seem unrelated at first, TMJ is often missed as a diagnosis. However, premier Kansas City, Missouri, Physiologic Neuromuscular Dentist, Dr. Prabu Raman, has advanced training, education, and experience in diagnosing and treating disorders of the temporomandibular joint.

More TMJ Neck Symptoms

Now that we’ve explained why the neck is involved with the dysfunction of the TMJ, let’s take a look at some of the more common TMJ neck symptoms you may be experiencing:

  • Stiff neck that feels like you slept on it wrong
  • Neck pain
  • Upper back pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Burning sensation in the neck
  • Decreased range of motion (ROM) in the neck

What Separates TMJ Neck Pain from Other Neck Pain?

Many frustrated TMJ sufferers wonder how you know if their neck pain is a jaw problem or a neck or spine problem. That’s a great question that Dr. Raman gets a lot. The TMJ-related neck aches and pains tend to worsen with jaw movements but become less when the jaw is rested and in its optimal position.

How the neck pain reacts to the jaw’s position is what separates TMJ neck pain from other head and neck aches due to tension headaches, disc problems in the neck, or muscle injuries. Also, when neck pain is presented with other symptoms involving the jaw, face, and ear, Dr. Raman knows to perform diagnostic testing to track the sounds and movements of your jaw using the most amazing neuromuscular dentistry technology available today.

Contact the Raman Center for TMJ & Sleep for TMJ Neck Pain

People travel from all over the globe to see Dr. Prabu Raman at Raman Center for TMJ & Sleep in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Raman has decades of experience treating TMJ and is an innovator, pioneer, and educator in Physiologic Neuromuscular Dentistry. Please call Raman Center today (816) 436-4422 or fill out the online contact form, so one of our team members can reach out to answer your questions or schedule a new patient evaluation.