Why Are So Many People Misdiagnosed With TMJ Disorders? With Professor Renton (Ep 173)
Bendy Bodies with Dr. Linda Bluestein
Using Questionnaires to Guide Care
Tara explains the PHQ-4, jaw function questionnaires, and why functional impact matters more than numeric pain scores.
In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein is joined by Professor Tara Renton, a globally recognized expert in orofacial pain, to explore the nuanced world of facial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and migraine disorders. Together, they unpack why so many patients suffer from persistent facial, jaw, or head pain despite “normal” scans and what magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) can reveal that traditional imaging might miss. They also dig into local anesthetic reactions, the limitations of pain scales, and how to distinguish between healthy vs. unhealthy pain. .
Takeaways
Professor Renton explains how magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) can detect nerve irritation that typical MRIs may miss, especially in TMJ and facial pain cases.
You’ll hear how migraine-related nerve dysfunction can present as jaw pain, facial burning, or unexplained dental sensitivity without classic migraine symptoms.
They explore how patients with conditions like mast cell activation may react to preservatives or delivery mechanisms in numbing agents, even if allergy tests are negative.
The conversation questions whether traditional 1-to-10 pain rating tools capture the lived experience of chronic nerve or facial pain and what alternatives might help.
Dr. Bluestein and Professor Renton discuss how to recognize pain that signals normal healing versus pain that points to long-term nerve dysfunction or central sensitization.
Find the episode transcript here.
Want more Professor Tara Renton?
Website: https://orofacialpain.org.uk/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKw1La6H5Dw
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-renton-a5999018/?originalSubdomain=uk
Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD?
Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bendybodiespodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BendyBodiesPodcast
X: https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/
Newsletter: https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/
Shop my Amazon store https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd
Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hypermobilitymd/store-start
Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them.
Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www\.bendybodiespodcast\.com/.
YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!
Learn more about Human Content at http://www\.human-content\.com
Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: sales@human-content.com
Part of the Human Content Podcast Network
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The AI-powered Podcast Player
