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Been Suffering From Discomfort At The Back Of Neck And In Shoulders. Why Is There Facial Pain? Is It TMJ Disorder?
Question: For the past two weeks or so I have been suffering from discomfort/stiffness at the back of my neck and in my shoulders (but not pain as such) with a dull facial pain (bilateral) that seems to radiate from these areas. Moving my head from side to side or backwards and forwards produces a clicking noise with a grating sensation. The facial pain moves about but tends concentrate on both sides of my nose and cheeks. It's occasionally felt below my eyes, at my temples and in my teeth. The pain does not respond particularly well to ibprofen.
I have a history of excessive gum chewing and spend a lot of time at a computer screen. I know this all seems to point to TMJ disorder but would be interested to know if there are other possible diagnoses.
I have a history of excessive gum chewing and spend a lot of time at a computer screen. I know this all seems to point to TMJ disorder but would be interested to know if there are other possible diagnoses.
Hi,
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Discomfort/Stiffness at the back your neck and your shoulders and clicking sound on moving head can be due to Cervical spondylitis also.
In TMJ inflammation you should feel discomfort and/or pain during mastication.
For confirmation you require examination and palpation of Temporomadibular joint and X-ray Cervical spines (both views).
In my opinion you should consult an Orthopedic Surgeon and mean while you can try anti-inflammatory with muscle relaxant twice daily, B-complex capsule and relaxyl oint locally.
If you have further query, please feel free to ask,
With good wishes,
Welcome to XXXXXXX
Discomfort/Stiffness at the back your neck and your shoulders and clicking sound on moving head can be due to Cervical spondylitis also.
In TMJ inflammation you should feel discomfort and/or pain during mastication.
For confirmation you require examination and palpation of Temporomadibular joint and X-ray Cervical spines (both views).
In my opinion you should consult an Orthopedic Surgeon and mean while you can try anti-inflammatory with muscle relaxant twice daily, B-complex capsule and relaxyl oint locally.
If you have further query, please feel free to ask,
With good wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Very helpful, thank you. There is occasionally some clicking when I masticate (trying a soft food diet, of course). In the absence of other symptoms, would you say that paranasal sinus cancer, neck cancer and brain tumour are exceedingly unlikely?
Hi,
Welcome again,
Occasional clicking during mastication doesn't have any importance.
Symptoms provided by you are not in favour of sinus/neck cancer and brain tumour.
First you please get yourself examined by Orthopaedic Surgeon and get X-ray of cervical spine done. Try to avoid pillow during sleep, or try pillow having less thickness.
If Orthopaedician confirms the diagnosis of cervical spondilitis, you may require exercise of neck muscles &/or cervical traction under guidance of Physiotherapist.
With his consultation you can try tablets containing Aceclofenac, Paracetamol & Tizanidine twice daily and B-complex like Neurobion forte tablet 2-3 times daily for couple of days.
If Orthopaedician doesn't confirms cervical spondilitis, you will require evaluation by a Neuro-Physician.
Hope, this will help you. If you have further query, please ask. If you don't require further clarification, can close discussion with rating.
With good wishes,
Welcome again,
Occasional clicking during mastication doesn't have any importance.
Symptoms provided by you are not in favour of sinus/neck cancer and brain tumour.
First you please get yourself examined by Orthopaedic Surgeon and get X-ray of cervical spine done. Try to avoid pillow during sleep, or try pillow having less thickness.
If Orthopaedician confirms the diagnosis of cervical spondilitis, you may require exercise of neck muscles &/or cervical traction under guidance of Physiotherapist.
With his consultation you can try tablets containing Aceclofenac, Paracetamol & Tizanidine twice daily and B-complex like Neurobion forte tablet 2-3 times daily for couple of days.
If Orthopaedician doesn't confirms cervical spondilitis, you will require evaluation by a Neuro-Physician.
Hope, this will help you. If you have further query, please ask. If you don't require further clarification, can close discussion with rating.
With good wishes,
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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