Your Temporomandiublar Joint (TMJ) or jaw is one of the most important joints in your body. Well, every joint is important, but without adequate functioning of your jaw, important things like eating, drinking, and communicating become difficult or impossible.The muscles around the jaw have various functions: some work to close the jaw, some work to open the jaw, some work to move your jaw from side to side, some move your voice box around, some help with swallowing, some help with moving your head around, some help with breathing, some help with creating facial expressions. Each of these muscles can develop trigger points and / or myofascial restrictions and / or pain.You may have TMJ dysfunction: if you have had headaches inside or around your head, mouth, throat, or chest; if your jaw clicks; if you grind your teeth; if you sing; if you play clarinet or any other wind instrument; if you orate on television; if you have braces or have dental work.
