--- title: Trigeminal Neuralgia or TMJ Disorder? description: TMJ and trigeminal neuralgia are not the same diagnosis but do have some overlapping symptoms. They are easily confused for one another. image: https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/jaw%20pain.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/jaw-pain-tmj-disorder-or-trigeminal-neuralgia#main-content) [![Glackin\_Logo](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Glackin_Logo.png?width=197&height=52&name=Glackin_Logo.png "Glackin_Logo")](https://www.glackinpt.com) - [About](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [About Us](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [Approach](https://www.glackinpt.com/approach) - [Rates and Insurance](https://www.glackinpt.com/fees/) - [Products](https://www.glackinpt.com/products) - [Blogs](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog) - [Conditions We Treat](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [Physical Therapy for Runners](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-runners) - [TMJ Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/tmj) - [Neck Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-neck-pain) - [Shoulder Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain) - [Chest Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-chest-pain) - [Back Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/back-pain) - [Pelvic Floor Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-pelvic-pain) - [Hip Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/hip) - [Knee Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/knee) - [Ankle Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/ankle-pain) - [Additional Services](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [FAQs](https://www.glackinpt.com/faq) - [Online Scheduling](https://scheduling.go.promptemr.com/onlineScheduling?w=1081&s=DL) - [Contact](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) - [jaw rehabilitation](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-rehabilitation), - [TMD](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmd), - [TMJ](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj), - [TMJ Disorder](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj-disorder), - [Jaw Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain), - [jaw rehab](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-rehab), - [clicking jaw](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/clicking-jaw), - [trigeminal neuralgia](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/trigeminal-neuralgia) # Trigeminal Neuralgia or TMJ Disorder? ![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/jaw%20pain.jpg) - January 10, 2022 [Glackin Physiotherapy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/author/glackin-physiotherapy) You have jaw pain but is it necessarily related to the TMJ joint? Maybe. Or it could be trigeminal neuralgia. Read on to learn more. For more generalized information about your jaw, refer to our blog titled, [You and Your Temporomandibular Joint](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/you-and-your-temporomandibular-joint-tmj). ### What does TMJ stand for? TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint and it helps us open and close our jaw, and shift it side to side.; The muscles that control the TMJ can become tight and tender.  The disc that's between the mandible and the frontal bone can also become displaced. Pain is common with eating and talking, as is clicking. The Trigeminal nerve is a large nerve with 3 branches that supply the face with pain, touch and temperature sensations as well as provide motor control for biting, chewing and swallowing. The three branches are: Mandibular, Maxillary, and Ophthalmic. ### What is trigeminal neuralgia? There are two kinds of Trigeminal neuralgia (irritation of the Trigeminal nerve): - Primary: When an artery or vein wraps around the nerve and causes irritation. The symptoms are often described as brief electric shocks in the face, and are triggered by eating, talking or touching the face. - Secondary: Irritation to the nerve is caused by injury, cyst/or tumor, multiple sclerosis. This shows up as chronic burning or aching (less intense than the electric shocks of type 1). ![Trigeminal neuralgia is irritation of the trigeminal nerve ](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Illustration-of-a-nerve-cell-on-a-colored-background-with-light-effects-1.jpg?width=300&height=210&name=Illustration-of-a-nerve-cell-on-a-colored-background-with-light-effects-1.jpg) ### How do you determine if it's TMJ Dysfunction or Trigeminal Neuralgia? They do have similar overlap of symptoms, but each does have some hallmark traits. Clicking and/or locking is indicative of only TMJ dysfunction, not trigeminal neuralgia. Another big difference between TMJ dysfunction and trigeminal neuralgia related face/jaw pain is tight and tender muscles. Specifically, lateral pterygoid, masseter, frontalis and temporalis. Ear pain is common with both problems. A physical therapist is well equipped to help you determine if your symptoms are more related to the TMJ or trigeminal neuralgia. #### Physical therapy for Trigeminal Neuralgia or TMJ Dysfunction in Brookhaven, GA and Atlanta, GA If you are experiencing sign and symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia or TMJ dysfunction, our physical therapists specializing in TMJ pain and trigeminal neuralgia at Glackin Physiotherapy, LLC can help. [Reach out](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) to our office today! Blog Post ## Related Articles Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/jaw%20pain.jpg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/botox-for-tmj-not-just-for-wrinkles) [TMJ](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj), [TMJ Disorder](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj-disorder), [Jaw Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain), [Botox injection](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/botox-injection) ### [Botox for TMJ](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/botox-for-tmj-not-just-for-wrinkles) December 27, 2021 Most individuals are familiar with Botox, which is the Botulinum Toxin, injections for wrinkles and fine lines.... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/botox-for-tmj-not-just-for-wrinkles) [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Woman%20wear%20mask%20with%20eye%20frown.jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/mask-wearing-its-a-pain-but-really) [jaw rehabilitation](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-rehabilitation), [TMJ](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj), [TMJ Disorder](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj-disorder), [Jaw Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain), [jaw muscles](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-muscles), [mask](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/mask), [mask pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/mask-pain) ### [Mask Wearing and Jaw Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/mask-wearing-its-a-pain-but-really) February 7, 2022 We have all been wearing masks for over a year and a half at this point. It's nothing new to us. (Wow lets just have... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/mask-wearing-its-a-pain-but-really) [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Delicious%20sweets%20for%20the%20Brazilian%20Junina%20Party%20(Festa%20Junina).jpeg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/temporomandibular-joint-dysfunction-dos-and-donts) [jaw rehabilitation](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-rehabilitation), [TMD](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmd), [TMJ](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj), [TMJ Disorder](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/tmj-disorder), [Jaw Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-pain), [jaw rehab](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-rehab), [clicking jaw](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/clicking-jaw), [jaw muscles](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/jaw-muscles) ### [Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: Do's and Don'ts](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/temporomandibular-joint-dysfunction-dos-and-donts) February 14, 2022 The temporomandibular joint (also known as the TMJ) is critical to opening and closing our mouth! Which is of course... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/temporomandibular-joint-dysfunction-dos-and-donts) Check all articles Blog Post CTA ### H2 Heading Module Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. GET STARTED Subscribe for ### Our Blog Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. ### Contact Us! [![Glackin\_Logo](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Glackin_Logo.jpg?width=789&height=201&name=Glackin_Logo.jpg "Glackin_Logo")](https://www.glackinpt.com) #### Address **Glackin Physiotherapy, LLC** 2697 Apple Valley Rd NE STE B Brookhaven, GA 30319-3150 [(404) 585-8834](tel:+14045858834) [annie@glackinpt.com](mailto:annie@glackinpt.com) #### Hours - Monday: 7:00AM-5:30PM - Tuesday: 8:00AM-8:00PM - Wednesday: 7:00AM-5:30PM - Thursday: 7:00AM-6:30PM - Friday: 7:00AM-5:30PM Contact Us [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/glackinpt) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.instagram.com/glackinpt) [Contact Us](mailto:annie@glackinpt.com) Toggle 1. [Contact Us](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) 2. [Plyometric Rehab](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/the-use-of-plyometrics-in-rehab) 3. [Physical Therapy for Runners](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-runners) 4. [Sports Physical Therapy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/sports-rehabilitation-and-tissue-tolerance) 5. [Additional Services](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) --- - [Privacy Policy](https://www.glackinpt.com/privacy-policy/) Powered by HubSnacks [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Glackin Physiotherapy", "url" : "https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/author/glackin-physiotherapy" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-07T23:29:48.619Z", "datePublished" : "2022-01-10T17:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Trigeminal Neuralgia or TMJ Disorder?", "image" : [ "https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/jaw%20pain.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/jaw-pain-tmj-disorder-or-trigeminal-neuralgia", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Glackin%20Physiotherapy%20July%202020%20Theme/Images/Glackin_mac.png" }, "name" : "Glackin Physiotherapy, LLC" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Physiotherapy", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Brookhaven", "addressRegion" : "GA", "postalCode" : "30319-3150", "streetAddress" : "2697 Apple Valley Rd NE STE B" }, "aggregateRating" : { "@type" : "AggregateRating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingCount" : "85", "ratingValue" : "5", "worstRating" : "4" }, "email" : "info@glackinpt.com", "image" : "https://3996771.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3996771/Glackin_Logo%20(2).jpg", "name" : "Glackin Physiotherapy, LLC", "openingHoursSpecification" : [ { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "17:30", "dayOfWeek" : "Monday", "opens" : "07:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "20:00", "dayOfWeek" : "Tuesday", "opens" : "08:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "17:30", "dayOfWeek" : "Wednesday", "opens" : "07:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "18:30", "dayOfWeek" : "Thursday", "opens" : "07:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "17:30", "dayOfWeek" : "Friday", "opens" : "07:00" } ], "priceRange" : "$", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/glackinpt", "https://www.instagram.com/glackinpt" ], "telephone" : "+14045858834", "url" : "https://www.glackinpt.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressLocality" : "Brookhaven", "addressRegion" : "GA", "postalCode" : "30319-3150", "streetAddress" : "2697 Apple Valley Rd NE STE B" }, "email" : "brendan@glackinpt.com", "name" : "Glackin Physiotherapy", "openingHoursSpecification" : [ { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek" : { "@type" : "DayOfWeek", "name" : "Monday: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM" } }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek" : { "@type" : "DayOfWeek", "name" : "Tuesday: 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM" } }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek" : { "@type" : "DayOfWeek", "name" : "Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM" } }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek" : { "@type" : "DayOfWeek", "name" : "Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM" } }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek" : { "@type" : "DayOfWeek", "name" : "Friday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM" } } ], "telephone" : "(301) 887-5689" } ```