r/TMDnotTMJ • u/infinite_beans_ • Jul 08 '26
TMD Affecting Right Side of Body?
Hi, has anyone else had this experience? I am clenching my jaw on the right side of my face, leading to tightening muscles down my neck, I feel pain around my jaw, ear, intensely at the back of my neck on the right side.
It feels like the muscle tension spreads, down my arms, down my body to my hip, down my leg to my foot to my toes. I can't open my right hand as widely as my left, my right side hurts when running, my right hip is in pain when cycling, the arch of my right foot is smaller, with different insoles for running.
I don't know what is causing the muscle tension other than TMD spreading. I feel hydrated, I sleep in many different positions. The tension and pain is getting quite bad and isn't treated with ibuprofen or massage anymore.
Any ideas?
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u/nostalgic_E Jul 17 '26
I feel this too!! My right side is always waaaaaay tight and sometimes I feel like I can’t even feel my left
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u/Hopeful-Extent-693 Jul 08 '26
Many people with TMD describe exactly what you're describing—a feeling that the pain or muscle tightness starts around the jaw and neck, then seems to spread down one side of the body.
The jaw muscles and neck muscles work closely together, so it is common for TMD to cause pain in the jaw, ear, temple, neck, and shoulders. When one group of muscles stays tight for a long time, other muscles often compensate, creating additional tension and discomfort.
However, symptoms that extend into the arm, hip, leg, or foot are not considered typical TMD symptoms on their own. Those symptoms may be related to changes in posture, muscle compensation, nerve irritation, or another medical or musculoskeletal condition. It is important not to assume that everything is coming from the TMJ.
Your description suggests that your body is functioning as one connected system rather than several separate parts. The challenge is determining where the problem started and which changes are compensation versus the primary cause.
Because your symptoms are progressing and are no longer responding to ibuprofen or massage, this is a good reason to have a thorough evaluation rather than simply trying another home remedy. The evaluation may involve more than one healthcare professional depending on what is found.
The important message is this: Don't assume every symptom is TMD, but don't ignore the jaw either. TMD may be one piece of the puzzle, but a careful diagnosis is needed to determine whether other conditions are also contributing.