My Unbearable Jaw Pain Turned Out to Be a TMJ Disorder—Here’s How I Finally Got It Under Control Prevention 2/26/2021 Alisa Hrustic My first symptom—a swollen, achy neck—could’ve been anything. But as spring bloomed into summer, stranger things cropped up. A recurrent pinching sensation in my ears. Sharp pains all around my face. And, far worse than a tension headache, it felt as if a power drill were chiseling away at my temples. I was used to frequent headaches, but this slew of symptoms felt like something else. It all began in March, just as COVID-19 hit the U.S. After a useless telehealth call with a general physician, I tracked down an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) for another virtual appointment. At the time, I was convinced I had an ear or sinus infection. But she told me it might be a problem with my temporomandibular joint (TMJ). We each have two of them, and they connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing the mouth to move.