Hi, and thanks for your medical question on eHealth forum
If your jaw hurts a lot and makes painful cracking sounds when you laugh and eat, you could be in all probability having TMJ.
Massaging the muscles may help some. You have to press on muscles to look for sore points. Then massage these points with short strokes. To massage the masseter muscles on each side of your jaw, place your thumb inside your mouth and squeeze the thick muscle in your cheek with your fingers. To massage the jaw muscles inside your mouth, use your index finger to probe and massage these spots.
Moist heat or cold packs on the face, vitamin supplements, or biofeedback are useful for some people. Usually people find a method that brings relief by trial and error.
Consult an ENT specialist. Hope this helps. Take care!
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