Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) causes jaw pain, and people withfibromyalgia (FMS)andchronic fatigue syndrome(CFS orME/CFS) tend to struggle with TMJ more than those without these conditions.
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Overview
The causes of TMJ still aren’t well-known, but most experts agree that trauma to the jaw or temporomandibular joint can lead to it. Other associated conditions include anxiety, stress, andrheumatoid arthritis.The pain can range from mild to severe and treatment generally depends on the severity.
TMJ, Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue
We don’t know yet why people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are more prone to TMJ disorders. When TMJ occurs before CFS or FMS, it’s possible that TMJ pain contributes to the development ofcentral sensitization. Hypersensitivity of the central nervous system is believed to be a key component of both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis).
When the other conditions are diagnosed first, TMJ may be related to lax connective tissues believed to be associated with them. An emerging theory is that all of these conditions may fall under the umbrella termcentral sensitivity syndromes.
Since people with FMS and ME/CFS feel pain more acutely than others, they may suffer more from numerouspainful conditions.
Diagnosis
It’s a good idea to ask a regular healthcare provider to rule out other causes of facial pain, such as sinusheadachesor earaches. Also, if you havemyofascial pain syndrome(which is common in people with FMS), trigger points on the sternocleidomastoid muscles in the front of the neck can cause jaw pain.It’s unknown whether these kinds of trigger points actually cause TMJ or just cause similar symptoms.
TMJ Symptoms
Other than headaches, TMJ symptoms are quite distinct from symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. They include:
You should bring up any jaw pain with a healthcare provider anddentistright away. TMJ treatment is likely to be more effective if you catch it early.
Treatments
In some cases, TMJ symptoms go away on their own. If you have persistent symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend either conservative treatments or a more aggressive approach.
Conservative treatments include:
More aggressive treatments include orthodontics or surgery. These aggressive treatments are controversial, so you may want to get asecond opinionbefore considering them.
Treatments for TMJ vs. FMS/ME/CFS
TMJ treatmentsdon’t generally interfere with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue treatments. However, those people with temperature sensitivity may have a hard time tolerating ice packs or recovering from surgery because of their other conditions. Also, some experts believe that many people with ME/CFS are sensitive to certain types of anesthesia, although this has not been proven inclinical studies.
Any time you’re taking medication for more than one condition, you should talk with a healthcare provider and pharmacist about possible drug interactions.
If you’reconsidering surgery, be sure you speak to a surgeon about any accommodations you may have because of your other conditions.
Even routine dental appointments can be hard on people with these conditions. Make sure you’re prepared for the appointment and know the options for helping you get through it.
A Word From Verywell
The pain of TMJ can make your fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue more difficult to manage, making treatment especially important.
We’re constantly learning more about the facial pain of TMJ and what it has in common with disorders involving widespread muscle pain. This research could help us better understand TMJ and its relationship to chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, leading to better treatment for all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not usually. However, TMJ can cause pain throughout the head, neck, and face. The temporomandibular joint sits behind the trigeminal nerve, a major nerve that branches across the face and can spread pain throughout the eyes, ears, mouth, forehead, cheeks, tongue, teeth, and throat.TMJ does not cause all-over body pain, however. Conditions that cause widespread body pain and are associated with TMJ include fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis.
Not usually. However, TMJ can cause pain throughout the head, neck, and face. The temporomandibular joint sits behind the trigeminal nerve, a major nerve that branches across the face and can spread pain throughout the eyes, ears, mouth, forehead, cheeks, tongue, teeth, and throat.
TMJ does not cause all-over body pain, however. Conditions that cause widespread body pain and are associated with TMJ include fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis.
TMJ can be an acute or chronic condition. Left untreated, TMJ can worsen over time and become a prolonged pain condition. With treatment and lifestyle adjustments, TMJ can often be managed.
It may, but the evidence isn’t very strong. A 2011 study found that temporomandibular disorders can affect memory retrieval, although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood.It is suspected that pain from TMJ causes an increase in cortisol, which may have an impact on glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus. This can cause memory impairments.
It may, but the evidence isn’t very strong. A 2011 study found that temporomandibular disorders can affect memory retrieval, although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood.
It is suspected that pain from TMJ causes an increase in cortisol, which may have an impact on glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus. This can cause memory impairments.
Possibly. Research shows that brain MRIs of people with TMJ show changes to areas of the brain responsible for pain perceptions. These abnormal brain responses occurred in response to both non-painful and painful stimuli.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Dental and Craniofascial Research.TMJ Disorders. National Institutes of Health. 2017;17:3487.Yunus MB.The prevalence of fibromyalgia in other chronic pain conditions.Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:584573. doi:10.1155/2012/584573Chandola HC, Chakraborty A.Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome-a dilemma.Indian J Anaesth. 2009;53(5):575-81.Fisher MM, Rose M.Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.Br J Anaesth. 2008;101(4):486-91. doi:10.1093/bja/aen242Penn Medicine.TMJ: The small joint that can cause big pain.Yin Y, He S, Xu J, et al.The neuro-pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders-related pain: a systematic review of structural and functional MRI studies.J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):78. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01131-4Yang D, Ye L.Temporomandibular disorders and declarative memory.Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(5):723–5. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.02.007Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association.Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.Lapp C. Hunter-Hopkins Center.Advice for PWCs Anticipating Anesthesia or Surgery.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Dental and Craniofascial Research.TMJ Disorders. National Institutes of Health. 2017;17:3487.Yunus MB.The prevalence of fibromyalgia in other chronic pain conditions.Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:584573. doi:10.1155/2012/584573Chandola HC, Chakraborty A.Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome-a dilemma.Indian J Anaesth. 2009;53(5):575-81.Fisher MM, Rose M.Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.Br J Anaesth. 2008;101(4):486-91. doi:10.1093/bja/aen242Penn Medicine.TMJ: The small joint that can cause big pain.Yin Y, He S, Xu J, et al.The neuro-pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders-related pain: a systematic review of structural and functional MRI studies.J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):78. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01131-4Yang D, Ye L.Temporomandibular disorders and declarative memory.Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(5):723–5. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.02.007Additional ReadingAmerican Dental Association.Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.Lapp C. Hunter-Hopkins Center.Advice for PWCs Anticipating Anesthesia or Surgery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofascial Research.TMJ Disorders. National Institutes of Health. 2017;17:3487.Yunus MB.The prevalence of fibromyalgia in other chronic pain conditions.Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:584573. doi:10.1155/2012/584573Chandola HC, Chakraborty A.Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome-a dilemma.Indian J Anaesth. 2009;53(5):575-81.Fisher MM, Rose M.Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.Br J Anaesth. 2008;101(4):486-91. doi:10.1093/bja/aen242Penn Medicine.TMJ: The small joint that can cause big pain.Yin Y, He S, Xu J, et al.The neuro-pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders-related pain: a systematic review of structural and functional MRI studies.J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):78. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01131-4Yang D, Ye L.Temporomandibular disorders and declarative memory.Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(5):723–5. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.02.007
National Institute of Dental and Craniofascial Research.TMJ Disorders. National Institutes of Health. 2017;17:3487.
Yunus MB.The prevalence of fibromyalgia in other chronic pain conditions.Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:584573. doi:10.1155/2012/584573
Chandola HC, Chakraborty A.Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome-a dilemma.Indian J Anaesth. 2009;53(5):575-81.
Fisher MM, Rose M.Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.Br J Anaesth. 2008;101(4):486-91. doi:10.1093/bja/aen242
Penn Medicine.TMJ: The small joint that can cause big pain.
Yin Y, He S, Xu J, et al.The neuro-pathophysiology of temporomandibular disorders-related pain: a systematic review of structural and functional MRI studies.J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):78. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01131-4
Yang D, Ye L.Temporomandibular disorders and declarative memory.Med Hypotheses. 2011;76(5):723–5. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.02.007
American Dental Association.Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.Lapp C. Hunter-Hopkins Center.Advice for PWCs Anticipating Anesthesia or Surgery.
American Dental Association.Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Lapp C. Hunter-Hopkins Center.Advice for PWCs Anticipating Anesthesia or Surgery.
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