The temporomandibular joint, commonly abbreviated to TMJ, is the joint that connects your mandible to your skull. This joint, located on both sides of your jaw, acts as a sliding hinge to enable your jaw to open and close, which allows you to talk and eat. 

TMJ disorders are when you experience tenderness, facial pain and difficulty moving the joint. These disorders are fairly common, as almost ten million Americans suffer from TMJ disorders each year. Some risk factors of developing a TMJ disorder include: 

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Jaw injury 
• Chronic teeth grinding or clenching
• Structural jaw problems present at birth 

The symptoms of TMJ disorders vary based on the severity and causes of the condition. The most common symptoms of a TMJ disorder are: 

• Pain in the face or neck
• Stiffness in jaw muscles 
• Aching pain in or around the ear
• Difficulty chewing
• Limited mobility of the jaw
• Locking of the jaw

In a majority of cases, TMJ disorders can be treated with daily habits, like eating soft foods, using ice, reducing stress and jaw-stretching exercises to improve mobility. Sometimes, pain medications or stabilization splints may be necessary to prevent teeth grinding. 

Neck pain is a fairly common condition that is typically caused by poor posture or overuse. Neck pain can range from minor to severe and can usually be treated by conservative methods. It is diagnosed by symptoms like tenderness along the cervical spine, decreased range of motion in the neck and loss of reflexes. You should seek medical care immediately if your neck pain is accompanied by numbness or loss of strength in your arms or hands. 

Along with incorrect posture, neck pain can be caused by: 

• Arthritis: where the cartilage between your bones begins to deteriorate
• Nerve compression: sometimes from herniated discs or bone spurs
• Injuries: traumatic accidents can strain the soft tissues in the neck
• Diseases: meningitis or cancer can cause neck pain 

Neck pain can usually be successfully treated with ice and heat therapy, stretching, physical therapy, pain medications, or corticosteroid injections. 

Whiplash is an injury to the neck, characterized by a sudden back-and-forth movement caused by a great force. This injury is most common following a rear-end car collision, but can also occur in sports accidents, physical abuse, or other kinds of trauma. Whiplash occurs because the muscles and ligaments in your neck overextend beyond their normal range of motion. Symptoms of whiplash may not present themselves until a few days after the injury and can look like: 

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches at the base of the skull
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Loss of range of motion 
• Blurred vision
• Tenderness in the shoulders or upper arms

To alleviate whiplash symptoms, it will be important to complete physical therapy with certified physical therapists to rebuild strength and flexibility in your neck. With improved posture and relaxation techniques, your neck muscles will be able to fully recover.