TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most used and most complex joints in our bodies. Like all joints, there are multiple muscles, tendons, ligaments, and discs that can become irritated, injured, or inflamed. This can lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which is any dysfunction of the TMJ. These dysfunctions can come from factors such as nail-biting, gum chewing, teeth grinding (bruxism), teeth clenching, trauma, whiplash, and/or stress. YES, STRESS! Patients experience many symptoms from TMD.  Some are:

• Pain when eating, smiling, yawning, talking, etc.

• Headaches

• Ear pain and ringing in the ears

• Face pain

• Tooth pain

• Popping and/or clicking in joint

• Jaw locked closed or open

• Neck pain​

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What can a physical therapist do to help my TMJ problems and headaches? TMD is caused by a range of factors such as chewing, grinding, clenching, trauma and or stress. Your Physical Therapist will work with you to restore strength and or mobility to reduce pain and improve overall function. Our treatment consists of many different techniques including but not limited to:

• Triggerpoint Dry Needling (TDN)

• Manual techniques: mobilizations, manipulations, soft tissue work

• Patient education and self-management

• Cognitive and behavioral intervention

• Relaxation techniques

• Postural re-education

• Stretching/strengthening

• Physical activity

 

You and your therapists will get to the root of your TMD problems and customize a plan to fix it.