Pain in the jaw and neck can disrupt a person's daily activities, making it difficult or impossible to eat, drink or talk. There are multiple causes of jaw and neck pain--some severe and some minor. Treatment varies from at home treatment to emergency treatment. A person should always seek medical care if they think an injury could be severe.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
The temporomandibular joint, commonly known as TMJ, is the joint that attaches the lower jaw to the skull. The joint allows a person to move the jaw and open the mouth. According to MedlinePlus, the cause of TMJ is unknown; however some causes might be an improper bite, grinding the teeth at night and poor posture. Signs and symptoms include a clicking or popping sound when opening and closing the jaw, an ache in the facial area, jaw and neck pain, and difficulty closing or opening the mouth. These symptoms can be caused by the physical stress on the cartilage disk at the joint, the jaw, neck and facial muscles. Treatment can include bite guards, massage, pain relief medications and stress reduction techniques.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, especially joints that are often used, such as the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. According to the statistics published in August 2010, Merck.com reports that osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder and affects almost all people by the age of 80. Symptoms include pain in the area of the joint, stiffness and difficulty moving the joint. Treatment can include over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy, drainage of excess fluid and muscle relaxants.
Whiplash
Whiplash often occurs in car accidents, especially when the person is riding in a car that's hit from behind. During the impact, a person's neck moves backward and then forward very quickly. The ligaments and muscles in the neck are stretched beyond their normal capability. According to MayoClinic.com, signs and symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headache, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, ringing in the ears, memory problems and difficulty sleeping. Medical attention is needed if a person experiences pain in the shoulders or arms, numbness, weakness or tingling in the shoulder and/or arms or if the person has pain when moving the head. Treatment can include wearing a foam collar, taking pain medications, applying ice, and receiving corticosteroid injections.
