“TMJ pain” is not a diagnosis. It simply indicates that the pain is in or around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). While muscle pain is the most common mechanism in TMJ pain, the specific mechanism in a patient could be different, and muscle pain may be the result of a different mechanism. 

Some of the common diagnoses in TMJ pain or orofacial pain are:

• Muscle disorder
  • Myalgia
  • Muscle spasms
  • Muscle contractures
  • Muscular headaches (commonly morning headaches)
• Joint disorder
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Jaw locking – closed (articular disc displacement without reduction)
  • Jaw locking – open (subluxation of the joint)
• Systemic disorder (medical diseases such as auto-immune conditions, PTSD, abnormal growths, etc.)
• Neurological disorders (headache disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, etc.)
• Trauma and/or stress
• Sleep disorders