Located in front of your ear where your skull and lower jaw meet, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows the lower jaw to move and function properly. Problems with this disk are called temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Causes of TMD include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, grinding your teeth at night, displacement or dislocation of the disk between the jawbone and socket, disk perforation and trauma to the face. Stress leading to clenched teeth or tightened facial muscles can also cause TMD.
TMD can lead to a broad range of symptoms including pain, swelling and tenderness in the face, neck and shoulders; difficulty opening the mouth fully; clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw; jaw sticking or locking in an open or shut position; trouble chewing and biting; headaches and neck aches; and dizziness, earaches and ringing in the ears. Symptoms may, in some cases, resolve on their own, but this can take from weeks to decades.
Physical therapy treatments can bring relief within days, particularly when used as part of a cohesive approach with your dentist and other medical specialists. Rarely will surgery be recommended, but if you do have surgery, extensive physical therapy will be required to regain jaw function.
We will evaluate your history and institute treatments to relieve stiff muscles, improve posture and reduce jaw pain. Your customized care plan will use a variety of treatment modalities, such as
- ultrasound to relieve pain
- moist heat and cold to increase blood flow and relax muscles
- stretching exercises to improve flexibility and function
- massage to ease pain and sore muscles
- lifestyle changes and behavior modification
Given the daily importance of speaking and eating, TMDs can be debilitating, with a serious impact on your quality of life. Fortunately, physical therapy can help you fully regain facial movement.
