Interconnectedness of TMD and overall health represented by face emerging from roots and branches.

Is Your Body Trying to Tell You Something? The Hidden Link Between TMD and Overall Health

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Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness April 2025 • 4 min read.

"Understanding self-rated health (SRH) as an indicator for Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders (mTMD) and chronic pain management."


In the quest to understand and manage chronic pain, particularly conditions like temporomandibular disorders (TMD), researchers are constantly seeking simple yet effective tools. Enter self-rated health (SRH), a single-item measure where you assess your overall health on a scale, typically from poor to excellent. While it sounds straightforward, SRH has emerged as a surprisingly powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality across various populations.

But how does SRH relate to chronic pain, and specifically TMD? A recent study published in the Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache sheds light on this connection, revealing that SRH can be a valuable indicator of health in individuals with myofascial TMD (mTMD), a common subtype of TMD characterized by muscle pain.

This article breaks down the study's findings, exploring how SRH can help bridge the gap in understanding the complex interplay between pain, mental health, and physical function in individuals with mTMD. We will discuss practical implications for managing chronic pain and improving overall well-being.

Unlocking the Power of Self-Rated Health: What the Research Reveals

Interconnectedness of TMD and overall health represented by face emerging from roots and branches.

The study, conducted by Vivian Santiago, PhD, and Karen Raphael, PhD, aimed to investigate the utility of SRH in women with mTMD. Researchers compared SRH scores between women with mTMD and a demographically similar control group, examining the roles of pain, mental health, and physical function in mediating these differences.

Here's a breakdown of the key methods and findings:
  • Participants: 125 women with mTMD and 49 demographically similar controls.
  • SRH Measurement: A single-item question with five answer options ranging from poor (1) to excellent (5).
  • Other Measures: Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess bodily pain, mental health, and physical function.
  • Key Finding: Women with mTMD reported significantly poorer SRH compared to controls.
The study revealed that bodily pain was a major factor driving the lower SRH scores in the mTMD group. In fact, bodily pain fully mediated the association between mTMD and SRH, suggesting that the pain experience is a primary determinant of how these individuals perceive their overall health. Physical function also played a significant role, partially mediating the association. Mental health, while important, had a less pronounced impact on SRH in this study.

Taking Control of Your Health: The Role of Self-Awareness

The findings underscore the importance of considering SRH as a valuable tool in mTMD research and clinical practice. It provides a simple and efficient way to discriminate between cases and controls, offering insights into the impact of pain and physical function on overall health perception. By recognizing the connection between chronic pain and SRH, individuals can take a more proactive approach to managing their condition and improving their overall well-being.

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