The cause of most types of TMJ is multifactorial. Meaning several factors working together for amplified effect. Because of this, the best treatment is often a multidisciplinary approach, as shown in the next section.
Instead of cause, it’s best to ask about Risk Factors. Common Risk Factors include:
The Perfect TMJ Recipe
- Being Female. Studies show 2:1 to 3:1 female to male ratio.
- Multiple overlapping pain conditions. Central Sensitization Syndrome.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Obesity.
- Presence of, and severity of, psychiatric conditions. Especially anxiety and depression. Fight or Flight vs Rest and Digest. Gravitating to the former.
- Allostatic overload. Modern times: pollution of air, light, sound. Systems become overwhelmed.
- Diet that is calorie dense and nutrient poor.
- Sleep is suboptimal.
- Macrotrauma, microtrauma. Clenching. Bruxing.
- Age group 25-55.
- Some malocclusions.
If someone can check off all 10, they have a pretty good chance of coming up with TMJ.
INSIDER TIP: TMJ rarely occurs in isolation. There are almost always other underlying painful medical conditions that must also be addressed. Failure to do so will slow you down.
Migraine, tension type headache, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, myofascial pain, back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders are commonly seen with TMJ.