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    musculoskeletal

    Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction

    Also known as: TMJ dysfunction, TMD, jaw pain, temporomandibular disorder, jaw clicking

    TMJ dysfunction causes jaw pain, clicking, and difficulty opening the mouth, often linked to clenching or grinding (bruxism). Chinese medicine treats it through local channel blockage, Liver Qi stagnation with muscle tension, or deficiency patterns. Dental assessment rules out joint and tooth causes.

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    Lifestyle & Diet

    • •Eat softer foods and avoid wide opening (big yawns, biting into apples) during flares.
    • •Keep teeth apart during the day — lips together, teeth apart.
    • •Apply warmth to the masseter for 10 minutes to ease tension.
    • •Manage stress and see a dentist about grinding.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    See sources
    • •Cardiac-sounding jaw pain (with chest symptoms) is an emergency first, not a jaw treatment.[]
    • •LI4 and GB21 are contraindicated in pregnancy.[]

    When to reassess or seek care again

    See sources

    Review every 2–4 weeks. Track pain score, opening range and clicking. Refer to a dentist or orofacial clinic if locking, or no improvement in 6 weeks.

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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.

    1. Jaw pain — Healthdirect
      Healthdirect Australia · 2024
    2. Temporomandibular disorders — RACGP / Australian Dental Association guidance
      Australian Dental Association · 2024
    3. TMD — NICE CKS
      NICE · 2023
    4. Chinese medicine practitioner safety standards
      AHPRA / Chinese Medicine Board of Australia · 2024

    Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.