The temporomandibular joint is arguably the most intricate joint in the human body.It’s the only joint which both articulates (hinges) and translates (slides). Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a blanket term describing chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull. Many individuals experience clicking or popping of their jaw when yawning, chewing, or even just talking.The circumstance is considered TMJ disorder when there is pain. In more severe cases, TMJ disorder can include headaches and neck pain.

Many individuals with TMJ syndrome suffer from chronic stress.Clenching of the teeth, biting nails, and grinding teeth at night could cause or exacerbate the condition.In these examples, treatments as varied as psychotherapy, meditation, and wearing a biteguard at night have been demonstrated to provide TMJ relief.

For many years I suffered TMJ on my right side, partly due to grinding my teeth at night, and partly as a result of doing most of my chewing on the right side of my mouth. The anguish was grievous enough that whenever I slept on my right side, the following day that side of my face was too painful to