Those symptoms are typical of TMJ. When muscles are under chronic stress they can pull all sorts of other structures in the vicinity to try & help couteract the imbalance. Of course it makes the problem more widespread, chronic and probably even harder to distinguish and treat. TMJ dysfunction covers a wide range of signs and symptoms and can be affected by an even wider number of habits and treatments. Most people have some sort of inkling as to where they first went out of balance and what makes aggravates that even further, but perhaps not what actually caused or might FIX it. It can be so bad as to make one's day almost unbearable at times. The inflammation (and therefore symptoms) are almost certainly always worsened by excessive poor quality wheat and dairy in the diet and a lack of structural strength and integrity in the body. YOGA IS HELPFUL especially long term, as is a CLEAN diet. Therapies can include craniosacral therapy, physiotherapy, neuromuscular dentistry, osteopathy, quality kinesiology & naturopathy, Podiatry (because feet affect everything), swimming, yoga and meditation. Alternative is Ear Nose Throat specialist or Oral maxillofacial specialist/surgery - a last resort and after extreme invasion might not even be beneficial, in fact contrary for a handful of people.
There are some occasions where this condition is associated with other disorders such as Ehler's Danlos Syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis and the list goes on. The point is that it is a sign of physical imbalance and can even be from a fall off a bike or even resulting from orthodontic/ dental treatment.
The need is to erradicate any possibility of complications such as cysts, other disorders and growths etc. Your doctor should recommend a thorough scan and blood test to remove doubt. Being sure you are safe is always very important. TMJ dysfunction is becoming VERY prevalent. In the future ther will be more investigation & training to help understand the condition which is very real and can be terribly disruptive to life as we know it. You may need to learn to help yourself back into a state of NEAR harmony when all others cannot help. BUT You are not a hyperchondriac!
