TMJ Self screen – DeviationThis is a test of your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) / jaw. Is there any pain? If your jaw moves to one side? Is it on opening? Is it on closing? Is it both? Is there a click? Does your jaw move to one side then back? As you can see, there are a lot of questions to ask and get the answers to. As a disclaimer this is just a screen you can use to assess if you may potentially have a Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The easiest thing we can focus on here is your function. When you attempted the previous self screen – Could you open 3 knuckle widths? – normal More? – HYPERmobile less? HYPOmobileNow remember your jaw has two temporomandibular joints. If one side has MORE range than the other. your jaw will shift to a side. Sometimes too much range / or too little range can be caused issues affecting the articular disc. If you have a click chances are you may have what&;s known as a disc displacement. The next question is which way is the disc displacing and what can we do about it. But first, ask yourselves these questions6. What movements cause your jaw pain? does it change over time?7. Do you have pain during chewing? swallowing? biting? yawning? speaking?8. Do you habitually chew gum? eat lots of chewy candies, hard candies, corn nuts? Do you continually move your mouth?9. Do you usually chew on just one side?10. Does anybody tell you that you grind your teeth at night?Your answers to these questions should get you thinking about your daily habits and what types of things may be causing your TMD. It is much better to determine and treat the root cause of the problem. But for now the next videos in this series will show you some basic stretches and exercises for your TMJ. series