Temporomandibular (TM) disorder is a condition in which a person feels pain and discomfort in the muscles and joints that connect the lower jawbone (mandible) to the skull. These flexible muscles and joints are felt right in front of the ears and are needed to talk, chew, swallow, and yawn.

In addition, pain and tension in the muscles around the TM joint can cause tension in surrounding muscles, so muscles of the face, head, neck, and shoulders may be involved. Symptoms can include muscle pain in any area shown in the picture above, or headaches due to muscle tension.