Temporomandibular disorder (adjunctive care)
Also known as: TMD, TMJ disorder, jaw joint pain
Temporomandibular disorder causes jaw pain, clicking and limited opening, often linked with clenching, grinding and stress. Most cases settle with self-care, soft diet, jaw exercises and dental splints. Chinese medicine sees local Qi and Blood stagnation, Liver Qi stagnation with tension, and Wind-Cold in the channels.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Eat softer foods and avoid chewing gum while it's sore.
- •Keep teeth apart and jaw relaxed during the day.
- •Ask your dentist about a night splint if you grind.
- •Warmth and gentle jaw exercises help most people.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •Shallow needling at ST7 and SI19 with the mouth in the correct position; GB21 shallow only (pneumothorax risk).[]
- •Refer for dental or medical review if pain is persistent or atypical.[,]
When to reassess or seek care again
Measure mouth opening (mm) and pain score every 2–3 weeks; refer to dentist or oral medicine if no improvement after 6 sessions.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- NICE · 2023
- NIDCR (NIH) · 2024
- AHPRA · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.