When you’re feeling dizzy or faint, it’s easy to think that it stems from being dehydrated or having low blood sugar. But it may surprise you to learn that your dizzy spells may be a symptom of an issue with the joints in your jaw.
If you’re experiencing an ache in the temporomandibular joint in your jaw, or your TMJ, it’s not uncommon to experience dizzy spells. While feeling both TMJ pain and dizziness on their own can be frustrating enough, combining them may interfere with your everyday life. The good news is that there are ways that TMJ can be treated, which will also help to reduce the dizziness that it can cause.
Read on to learn about TMJ dizziness, how the issues are connected and the potential treatment options that can help, including physical therapy.
The basics of TMJ dizziness
Let’s break down the two parts of TMJ dizziness. We’ll start with the TMJ.
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which works as a sliding hinge that connects your skull and your jawbone. When it’s not properly moving, it’s known as TMJ dysfunction or disorder, though many just call it TMJ or TMJD.
The most common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction includes limited movement of the jaw, facial or neck pain, and clicking sounds from the affected joint. Possible causes of TMJD include arthritis, joint erosion, and teeth clenching or grinding.
Dizziness can describe a variety of feelings, including weakness and unsteadiness on your feet. It refers to an altered sense of balance that can lead to fainting or injury. A common type of dizziness is vertigo, which is the sensation of spinning and often a symptom of TMJ dysfunction.
The connection between TMJ dysfunction and dizziness
A study showed that people with TMJ disorders are 2.3 times more likely to have vertigo. In fact, nearly 60% of the study participants with TMJ disorders also experienced vertigo.
While it may seem like there isn’t a connection between jaw pain and dizzy spells, there are several theories that TMJ dizziness actually stems from how the dysfunction affects your ear.
Your vestibular system is a sensory system that’s located in your ear and controls your balance and eye movements. It’s possible that the sensors in your ear can be impacted by the inflammation of your temporomandibular joint, resulting in feeling dizzy or lightheaded. It can also cause tinnitus, which means ringing in your ears, as well as hearing impairment.
Another possible cause of TMJ dizziness is that sensitive or hyperactive chewing muscles cause contractions in the tubes that connect your nose to your ear.
5 treatment options for TMJ dizziness
TMJ dysfunction can be temporary or long-term, which means so can the TMJ dizziness. No matter how long it lasts, it can still impact your quality of life. Not only does TMJD make it difficult to comfortably enjoy your meals, the dizziness can make you fearful of certain activities due to the possibility of falling.
There are many treatment options for TMJ dizziness. Some of the options can be done through self-care and lifestyle changes, while others require the assistance of a health care professional. It’s important to target the TMJ to reduce the risk of dizziness.
Here are five ways to treat TMJD to reduce TMJ dizziness:
- Hot and cold compresses — One of the most effective ways to alleviate TMJD pain at home is by switching between hot and cold compresses on the area for 20 minutes at a time. The cold will help to reduce the pain while the heat helps to relax your jaw muscles.
- Habit changes — There are several habits that can contribute to TMJD pain, including grinding your teeth, biting your nails, and chewing on your lips or cheeks. By trying to quit these habits, you can help reduce your TMJD symptoms, including TMJ dizziness.
- Reduce stress — TMJD symptoms often flare up when you tighten your jaw muscles, which is usually a response to stress. By learning stress management techniques, such as meditation or yoga, you can reduce the tension in your TMJ.
- Adjust your posture — Poor posture can contribute to your TMJD. Make sure that you’re using a desk chair with back support and sitting upright while driving or sitting on the couch. A physical therapist can help you make postural and gait adjustments.
- Jaw exercises — One of the most effective ways to alleviate your TMJ pain is through exercises that will increase your jaw’s mobility. A physical therapist can walk you through stretching and strengthening techniques to increase its range of motion and function.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT for TMJ dizziness
At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need.
Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address TMJ dizziness.
Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform.
Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!