Having jaw pain (“click” or “clunk”) with biting, chewing and even sleeping can be a debilitating and frustrating condition. Properly treating this condition can offer relief! Posture education and improving jaw movements are a major factor of the TMD & TMJ treatment plan for this disorder. Having correct posture will relax the jaw muscles and improve the resting position of the jaw, head, neck and shoulders.

What is TMJ?

Temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD) affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This is the joint that joins the jaw, or mandible, to the temporal bone of the skull. When the joint is damaged it can lead to pain in the jaw, neck, ears, head and face. TMJ treatment is important for eliminating these symptoms. The inflamed temporomandibular joint can lead to lock jaw, facial swelling, nerve inflammation, headaches, tooth grinding, and sometimes even dislocation of the joint itself.

Assessment

A detailed physical therapy assessment and successful TMJ treatment will focus on:

Postural alignment of the neck, head and jaw
Muscle imbalances in the mouth, neck, jaw and head
Normalizing mechanics of the TMJ to move properly on each side throughout opening & closing of the mouth

about

12

percent of the US population is affected by a TMJ disorder

more than

90

percent of patients who are seeking treatment for their TMJ disorder are women in their childbearing years

only about

60

percent of people with a TMJ disorder will seek treatment

TMD & TMJ Issues We Treat

Opening the Mouth

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One of the most common symptoms of TMD and TMJ is pain associated with opening of the mouth. Yawning and conversation movements are the main causes of this pain and can be not only be extremely frustrating but also very painful.

Chewing & Eating

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Due to facial swelling, eating and chewing can create pain in the face and jaws. Trouble with chewing and a feeling as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly is a common symptom.

Headaches

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There are many factors with TMD and TMJ that can create headaches and migraines. The pain from jaw clenching, joint inflammation and facial swelling can travel to other places in the skull, causing head pain.

Tooth Grinding

/Jaw Clenching

Tooth Grinding/Jaw Clenching

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Many people clench their jaws and grind their teeth at night while they sleep, usually brought on because of stress. Individuals may also clench their jaw throughout the day. This puts a pressure and strain on the TMJ and its surrounding muscles.

Neck Movement

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Poor posture can put unnecessary and extra pressure on the muscles of the neck and shoulders creating pain and stiffness when moving the neck.

Ear Pain

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Due to the location of the temporomandibular joint, ear pain is often a common irritant of this disorder. The joints are connected from the jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are located in front of each ear.

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