CMD - when the jaw gets out of balance

One-sided headaches, pressure at the temples, ringing in the ears that comes and goes. For many people, the suffering begins in the head - and often ends with the jaw. What may seem surprising at first glance has a clear physiological basis: the temporomandibular joint is closely connected to the neck, ears and base of the skull. And this is where the story of a widespread but often overlooked complaint begins: CMD - craniomandibular dysfunction.

CMD - what is it anyway?

CMD stands for craniomandibular dysfunction - a collective term for functional disorders in the area of the temporomandibular joint, the masticatory muscles and the surrounding structures. The symptoms range from jaw clicking and pain when chewing to radiating symptoms such as:

• Tension headaches

• Tinnitus or ear pressure

• Dizziness or visual disturbances

• Neck tension and shoulder pain

A complex set of symptoms often develops - diffuse, changeable, difficult to grasp. The cause: a muscular-neurovegetative imbalance that affects the whole body via the fasciae, joints and central nervous system.

Why tinnitus & headaches occur together

What many people don't know: The temporomandibular joint is directly connected to structures that are responsible for hearing, balance and pain processing.

• The masticatory muscles are functionally connected to the muscles of the neck and the upper cervical spine.

• The trigeminal nerve, which supplies large parts of the face, has close connections to the auditory nerve.

• Myofascial trigger points in the masseter, temporalis or sternocleidomastoid area can trigger or intensify headaches or tinnitus-like symptoms.

The result: stimuli that should actually remain local are misinterpreted or exaggerated by the central nervous system - with far-reaching consequences.

Physiotherapy - the jaw as a key region

Modern physiotherapy for CMD and accompanying headaches or tinnitus is more than just jaw mobilization. It is a targeted, regulative approach to harmonize muscular balance, posture and the autonomic nervous system.

Therapeutic focus:

• Manual treatment of the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles & cervical spine

• Fasciae in the temples, neck and shoulder girdle area

• Jaw relaxation & tongue base mobilization for vegetative calming

• Movement training, breathwork & medical yoga for whole-body regulation

• Biofeedback and perception training for sustainable self-control

Aim: to relieve pain, reduce tension - and offer the nervous system new patterns.

Occupational therapy - when everyday life, jaw and head are out of sync

Chronic pain in the head area often leads to everyday problems: Concentration disorders, sensitivity to stimuli, withdrawal or exhaustion. This is where occupational therapy comes in - with a holistic view of the ability to act and self-efficacy.

Occupational therapy approaches:

• Rhythm and stimulus management for pain and noise overload

• Everyday structure & pacing to balance activity and regeneration

• Stress regulation & vegetative training - e.g. via breathing techniques or progressive muscle relaxation

• Creative or body-centered methods for processing inner pressure

• Collaboration with dentists & splint therapy for CMD

Goal: regain quality of life - not through control, but through change.

Focus on people - not just the pain

At Hockenholz, we don't just treat the symptoms - we treat the person behind them. Because CMD, tinnitus and headaches are not isolated phenomena, but signals from a body that is searching for balance.

Our approach is based on the biopsychosocial model:

• Promoting understanding - what happens in the system?

• Calming the body & nervous system - movement, touch, breathing

• Strengthening self-efficacy - through relationships, structure and support

Conclusion: Tinnitus & headaches with CMD - understanding together, changing together

Temporomandibular joint complaints are not a niche topic - they are often the key to a complex set of symptoms. With an interdisciplinary, sensitive and professional therapeutic approach, tension headaches, ringing in the ears and vegetative imbalances can be effectively regulated.

Are you a therapist and want to find out more about the connection between CMD, tinnitus and chronic headaches?
👉 Then find out more about our training courses on pain physiology, autonomic regulation and movement-based therapy:
👉 www.hockenholz.com/weiterbildungen

Are you affected yourself?
We will support you - in a well-founded, holistic and individual way.
In our practice in Berlin or via online counseling.