Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive and effective approach that is showing promising results in research for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). TMD encompasses a range of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding tissues, often leading to chronic pain and limited jaw mobility.
TMD can be debilitating, with people suffering from jaw pain and difficulty eating, to jaw pain that radiates to the neck and shoulder, or leads to chronic headaches. Shockwave therapy is great at targeting directly in the TMJ or the surrounding tissue. Your therapist can help determine the tight areas and in combination with your dentist or other medical provider, help understand if the joint has tissue dysfunction or arthritis.
One significant benefit of ESWT for TMD lies in its ability to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation in the affected jaw joint and surrounding muscles. The device can get deep into the joint and break up scar tissue and cause regenerating tissue by breaking up any adhesions, promoting neovascularization or new blood supply, stimulating fibroblast activity and promoting collagen formation. All of this helps to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes to promote the repair of damaged tissues and alleviate pain. This can lead to improved jaw function, increased range of motion, and comfort for individuals suffering from TMD.
There is also evidence to support treating TMJ arthritis as it can help regenerate the cartilage inside the jaw joint.
This is a great option for treating those suffering from TMD because ESWT has minimal risk of side effects and no downtime required. ESWT allows individuals to resume their daily activities shortly after treatment.
If you want to schedule an appointment for TMD today to try out our extracorporeal shockwave therapy device, contact Release Physical Therapy to schedule an evaluation and your therapist can help evaluate your TMD and educate you on the benefits of shockwave therapy for your jaw pain.
