Dull pain and Sore feeling..

So a few days ago I noticed that on my left side, right under my jaw area, kinda upper neck, a little back from my chin its sore. Theres also a dull pain. It isnt throbbing or anything. But I noticed yesterday that it was kinda hard to open my mouth wide enough to eat my dinner.  It doesnt hurt to chew or anything else. Also when I do atempt to open my mouth wider..it feels like it pulls on my ear a little. Any ideas?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
It is possible you have TMJ. Please consult an orthopedic specialist. Please read through this link for home care therapies and massages: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001227.htm
“Try massaging the various muscles that may be involved. Probe all of the muscles of the face, shoulders, and back of the neck. (Avoid the area around the throat.) Press on the muscles to identify extremely painful points. Massage the painful spot with hard, slow, short strokes. Do this several times a day until the muscle is no longer painful when pressed.
To massage the masseter muscles on each side of your jaw, place your thumb inside your mouth and squeeze the thick muscle in your cheek (toward the back of your mouth) with your fingers. To get at the harder-to-reach jaw muscles inside your mouth, use your index finger to probe for tender areas behind the teeth, and use the finger to massage these spots.
Other home-care therapies, such as moist heat or cold packs on the face, vitamin supplements, or biofeedback are useful for some people. Exercising several times each week may help you relax, strengthen your body, increase flexibility, and increase your ability to handle pain.
Read as much as you can, as opinion varies widely on how to treat TMJ disorders. Get several doctor's opinions. The good news is that most people eventually find something that helps.”

Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!