Is Your Migraine a TMJ Disorder Migraine?

Migraines may be a symptom of a TMJ disorder, but it is hard to diagnose the condition without considering other symptoms that are associate with the migraines.

One way that you will be able to tell whether your migraine is a TMJ migraine or a migraine associated with another disorder is: that a TMJ migraine will rarely, if ever, exist without at least one additional symptom associated with this disorder. This is due to the fact that a TMJ migraine is the direct result of the joint of the jaw area being misaligned, and as such pain from the jaw area will also be present and exist along with the migraine headache as well. A migraine that is a TMJ migraine will be accompanied by tmj symptoms due to the following reasons:

1. Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve -- In further detail, the nerve most affected by the TMJ disorder is called the trigeminal nerve, which controls all functions of the jaw and teeth functions. This nerve also controls almost 40% of all brain processing functions as well, with the brain interacting much of the time with this nerve, and is connected to the nerves which control the face, head, and neck and throat areas.

Hence, upsetting this particular nerve will also result in these other nerves being affected negatively as well, contributing to much of the other pain symptoms associated with TMJ. A TMJ migraine will be a result of not only the nerve inflammation described above but also of the jaw joints themselves being misaligned.

2. Jaw misalignment -- Other sources of pain may be the misaligned jaw rubbing improperly against the nerve endings of the trigeminal nerve. The nerve may not necessarily be inflamed (as in the first reason listed), but minor irritations of this nerve may cause TMJ migraines.

3. Tense facial and head muscles -- Some doctors also believe that the source of TMJ migraines may basically be a result of the tension that results from facial and head muscles that are shortened or out of balance due to the jaw misalignment.

In general, TMJ migraine is a result of a number of jaw joint malfunctions, and as such will present itself with a number of TMJ symptoms as well, If you experience any of the symptoms listed for this disorder as well as a migraine headache, it is a good idea to consult with a doctor and find an effective TMJ treatment for your individual needs.