Myalgia is the fancy Greek derived word for muscle pain. It come from myos meaning muscle and algia from algos meaning pain. This pain often occurs when a muscle, or group of muscles, has been overworked and hurts. It is a common symptom of TMJ disorder and fortunately, is one of the easiest symptoms to address in TMJ patients.

          Myalgia has many different causes and there are many different types. The most common is when a muscle is overworked and underfed. The pain comes form decreased oxygen within the muscle along with a build up of accumulated waste products such as lactic acid. Muscles need good nutrition to function well. Muscle pain that is not associated with overwork or trauma usually is due to viral infections, metabolic dysfunctions, nutritional deficiences and/or chronic fatique syndrome.

         Myalgia usually involves striated muscle tissue. There are three types of muscle: cardiac, smooth and striated. Most of the muscle in the human body is striated and functions to move the bones and parts of the body. TMJ pain is usually caused when the jaw muscles attempt to support a bad jaw joint by holding it in place. Unfortunately, muscles are not designed to do this job so they soon begin hurting.

         Dr. Padolsky and the dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. Dr. P enjoys treating patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and has been offering this care since 1982. If you would like a consultion with Dr. Padolsky about TMJ myalgia, you are welcome to join his family of patients by scheduling your first appointment, call 404-874-7428.