Your jaw clicks, your head aches, your neck is tense — yet nobody finds the cause? Craniomandibular dysfunction (TMD) affects up to 10% of the population and often goes unrecognised for a long time. The good news: with the right approach, symptoms improve significantly in most cases. Fabienne Dormann, specialised in TMJ therapy at Praxis Loten in Eupen, explains what lies behind it.
Myth: clicking means damage
Many people hear clicking in their jaw and immediately think of serious damage. The reality is reassuring: joint sounds without pain are harmless in most cases. Studies show that up to 40% of the population have TMJ sounds — without any need for treatment. Clicking often results from a normal variation in disc position and is not a sign of wear. Teeth grinding (bruxism) doesn't automatically mean damage either: your jaw is a robust, adaptable joint. What matters is not the sound, but whether pain or functional limitation is present.
TMD is more than just the jaw
Modern research shows: TMD is a multifactorial condition. Stress, sleep quality, cervical posture and even emotional burden play a central role. Your jaw reacts to your entire life context. Those who clench their teeth at night often do so not because of a "jaw problem", but because the nervous system is overactive. This is why we never treat the joint in isolation. A holistic approach — including neck, posture, stress management and sleep hygiene — shows the best results. Science confirms: manual therapy combined with exercises and patient education is more effective than any single intervention.
Recognising TMJ disorders (CMD)
5 common signs not to ignore
- Clicking / popping when opening
- Morning headaches
- Pain when chewing
- Neck tension
- Restricted mouth opening
Several signs together? An assessment is warranted.
The golden rule of our TMJ therapy
"Your jaw needs calm, not force — relaxing is already healing."Most TMD symptoms improve through relaxation, not correction. Your jaw joint doesn't need "realignment" or invasive procedures. International research is clear: conservative therapy (manual techniques + exercises + education) helps over 85% of patients. Surgical intervention is needed only in rare exceptions. Your body has remarkable self-healing capacities — our role is to create the right conditions.
3 reflexes for jaw tension
- Tongue rest position** — Place your tongue tip lightly behind the upper front teeth, lips closed, teeth slightly apart. This "rest position" relaxes the entire chewing musculature and can be practised hundreds of times a day.
- Care for the neck-jaw connection** — Gentle neck mobilisations (rotation, side bending) also relieve the jaw. Studies show the cervical spine and TMJ share neural pathways. Relaxing the neck relaxes the jaw.
- Build in a stress valve** — Conscious breathing exercises (4 sec in, 6 sec out) before bed demonstrably reduce nocturnal teeth grinding. Your nervous system needs a signal to wind down.
When should you consult?
Joint sounds alone are no cause for concern. Consult a specialist therapist if: pain when chewing persists for more than 2 weeks, mouth opening is limited (less than 3 fingers wide), headaches or ear pain occur regularly and your doctor finds no other cause, or the jaw locks and no longer opens normally. The earlier treatment begins, the faster your system responds. In Eupen, Fabienne Dormann offers short-notice appointments for TMJ issues — even without a medical referral.
The traffic light system
Pain scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable)
Green light0 – 2 / 10
Carry on without worry
No or minimal pain — you can progress
Amber light3 – 5 / 10
You can keep going
Noticeable but bearable pain — even beneficial
Red light6 / 10 and +
Stop and reduce
Strong pain, you compensate or limp — lower the dose
Validated tool for tendinopathies, low back pain and patellofemoral pain
At Praxis Loten in Eupen: TMJ therapy
- Comprehensive assessment** — Fabienne Dormann examines not just your jaw, but also your neck, posture and stress factors. Every TMD is individual — your treatment plan is too.
- Intra- and extra-oral techniques** — Gentle manual techniques on the chewing muscles (from inside and outside), TMJ mobilisation and soft tissue techniques release tension without force.
- Exercises and self-management** — You learn the tongue rest position, relaxation strategies and targeted home exercises you can use in daily life.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration** — In coordination with your dentist (occlusal splint), ENT or psychologist, we offer holistic care that considers all factors.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace individual advice from a qualified therapist. For persistent symptoms, please consult your therapist or doctor.
References
- 1List T, Jensen RH. Temporomandibular disorders: Old ideas and new concepts. Cephalalgia. 2017;37(7):692-704.
- 2Armijo-Olivo S et al. Effectiveness of Manual Therapy and Therapeutic Exercise for Temporomandibular Disorders. Clin J Pain. 2016;32(3):260-278.
- 3Butts R et al. Conservative Management of Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Literature Review. JOSPT. 2017;47(8):560-571.
- 4Schiffman E et al. Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014;28(1):6-27.
- 5De Leeuw R, Klasser GD. Orofacial Pain: Guidelines for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management. 6th ed. Quintessence; 2018.