Jaw Pain Explained: When to See a Physical Therapist for TMJ Issues
You are likely to have never heard of TMJ. Nevertheless, you use it daily, probably more than any other joint in your body. It stands for temporomandibular joint.
You need TMJ whenever you open your mouth, chew food, grind your teeth, or even clench. If you experience consistent jaw pain, difficulty chewing, cracking sound in the jaw, unable to open your mouth for eating certain food or trouble moving your jaw, it’s time to see a Physical Therapist.
TMJ connects two rows of teeth through a hinge at the side of your face. Hence, the repetitive movements of your mouth and speaking are impossible without it.
Understanding TMJ and TMD
TMJ is a vital joint that connects the temple (temporal bone) to the mandibular joint in the jaw. When there is a joint imbalance, it causes disruption. TMJ is interchangeably used for TMD (temporomandibular disorder) associated with pain and stiffness.
There is a bony structure of the condyle and temporal bone with a cartilage disc in TMJ just like the knee joint. There are nerves also intertwined in the region. If it does not function properly, it can cause a sharp or dull pain.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ
Several factors increase the likelihood of TMD. Most commonly, excessive pressure on teeth and eventually on the jaw joint leads you to develop TMD. If you are used to grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw knowingly or unknowingly, you are prone to TMD..
People with TMD often experience difficulty eating due to an unaligned bite. This issue usually begins in childhood as the mouth and teeth develop. Trauma can also contribute—for example, jaw dislocation, arthritis, or injuries from car accidents or fights.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders include:
✔ Sharp or dull jaw pain
✔ Jaw locking or clicking
✔ Tooth pain
✔ Headaches, neck stiffness, or shoulder pain (due to jaw movement)
✔ Swelling of the face and ear ringing(tinnitus)
The primary reason for these symptoms is the inflammation and tightness of muscles and ligaments at the side of the jaw. It irritates nerves and causes sharp or dull achy pain. Moreover, it is not easy to rest this joint as you need to eat and communicate. That makes TMJ even harder to deal with. It can also lead to swelling of the face and ear ringing.
When You Should See a Physical Therapist
TMJ issues are consequential and must be treated to live a healthy physical and social life. Even the slightest TMJ discomfort can hinder your daily routine tasks like eating and speaking.
Regardless of the level of severity, we recommend you should consult a Physical Therapist if you’re dealing with TMJ issues.
A PT can help you overcome pain and restore proper jaw function through hands-on treatments and guidance in key areas, including:
Manual Therapy Techniques
Physical Therapists can perform different manual therapy techniques such as Myofascial release, rib cage mobilization, Dynamic neuromuscular rehabilitation etc which can help to loosen up the muscles around it and reduce pain and stiffness in the joint.
Education and Posture Correction
A PT will walk you through the entire TMJ treatment process. They will coach you on correct posture and jaw movements to help manage TMD symptoms, jaw pain, and inflammation.
Furthermore, a PT will recommend postural adjustments that relieve tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. With the right education and postural corrections, you can effectively treat TMJ issues.
Jaw Mobility Improvement
This is the most important part of TMJ treatment. It is essentially the outcome of joint imbalance. Your PT will determine whether your jaw is too stiff or loose. Based on that, he will treat you to improve your overall jaw mobility . It helps you achieve the right balance in the jaw region.
In severe cases, they may need to reset the joint to help you restore proper balance and movement. If you want long-term relief from TMD, only a certified and experienced PT who has dealt with these problems can effectively treat the issue.
TMJ Exercises
A PT will guide you through specific exercises to improve jaw mobility. These exercises play a crucial role in restoring normal jaw function and ensuring smooth movement of the jaw, neck, shoulders, and upper back.
By following a structured exercise program, you can achieve:
✅ Stronger jaw mobility
✅ Better posture and alignment
✅ Lasting pain relief
Able to eat food items which require wider opening of mouth without feeling pain in the TMJ.
A Physical Therapist ensures your TMJ functions smoothly through proven exercises and manual therapy techniques, helping you regain comfort in daily activities.
If you suffer from TMJ pain and are looking for a PT, look no further than us. Our seasoned PTs will ensure you live a comfortable life and carry out your daily tasks with ease. You can reach out to us at (NY) 212-706-7480 / (NJ) 908-484-7600 or simply email us on info@physisrehab.com
If you feel jaw pain eating, communicating, or chewing, it is a clear sign of TMD. Moreover, ear ringing, jaw and neck stiffness are telling symptoms. If you experience pain clenching your jaws and grinding your teeth, it is also a good indication of TMJ disorder.
Mild TMJ issues can be treated with basic measures, i.e. avoiding food that is hard to chew, and practicing good posture. However, we suggest consulting a PT even if it is a minor pain. Self-treatment can only give you temporary relief in most cases. It is best to get clarity from a PT and cure TMD in the early stage to prevent it from getting any more severe as it takes more time to treat chronic conditions.
There are quite a few exercises that help you treat TMJ pain. However, the most common and effective ones are:
Jaw stretching and opening
Resisted Jaw movements
Practicing good postures
Jaw and neck movements
These exercises will help you improve flexibility and strengthen your muscles. It is highly recommended to do them under the guidance and supervision of a certified PT.