Mason City (641) 423-0064

St. Ansgar (641) 736-4302

TMJ/TMD Therapy

It’s More Than Just a Pain in Your Jaw

People who grind their teeth (whether they know it or not), chew gum regularly, live a stressful life, or have tooth-alignment issues often end up with a painful condition known as TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). The temporomandibular joint is the area directly in front of the ear on either side of the head where the upper jaw and lower jaw meet. Because it’s one of the most frequently used joints in the body (we use it for talking, biting, chewing and yawning), when the joint and surrounding muscles are inflamed, TMJ can cause all sorts of problems, including stiffness, headaches, ear pain and bite misalignment.