TMJ Head & Facial pain

Understanding TMJ & Craniofacial Pain

At the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Brisbane, we specialize in the complex and often misunderstood area of craniofacial pain. Our team provides non-surgical treatment options for a range of conditions, including:

• TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) pain and dysfunction (TMD)
• Primary headaches such as migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches
• Facial neuralgias
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Or a combination of the above

The most common condition we treat is TMJ pain—a genuine medical issue resulting from dysfunction in the jaw joint. Research indicates that while TMJ disorders can occur in isolation, they are often part of a broader, more complex problem.

Causes of TMD generally fall into two categories:

• Macro-trauma, such as car accidents, sports injuries, or falls
• Micro-trauma, which typically refers to habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism)

Bruxism places excessive strain on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, leading to pain in the jaw, head, face, and neck. Despite being common, bruxism is not normal—it is classified as a medical movement disorder.

One significant underlying cause of bruxism is often overlooked: sleep-related breathing disorders. Many people assume they are breathing adequately during sleep, but in reality, nighttime bruxing may be the body’s unconscious attempt to open the airway and prevent suffocation.

Over time, this constant strain can lead to joint damage, muscle fatigue, and persistent pain. Our approach focuses on identifying these root causes—particularly the connection between poor sleep oxygenation and TMJ dysfunction—so we can provide effective, lasting relief.