Treatment for TMJ Dysfunction

What is TMJ dysfunction?

TMJ dysfunction or TMD is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint or joint around your jaw. There are two joints on either side of your mouth, and each joint is a hinge joint that helps with the function of the mouth. TMJ dysfunction can involve the joints, bones, or nerves around the jaw and face.

What are signs that you have a TMJ disorder?

Some signs and symptoms you may experience if you have a disorder of your temporomandibular joint include pain in the jaw, popping or clicking around the jaw, pain with chewing or talking, difficulty opening/closing the mouth, headaches, dizziness, aches in or around the ear, or locking around the jaw. You may also notice a change in the way your top and bottom teeth come together. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out to a physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy to schedule an evaluation today.

What causes TMJ dysfunction?

There are many factors that contribute to TMJ dysfunction. These can include excessive strain or stress to the temporomandibular joint. This excessive strain can be a result of habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth. TMJ dysfunction can also be caused by arthritis or trauma to the jaw. Additional factors that should be evaluated when addressing TMJ dysfunction are the musculature around the face and neck, posture, and lifestyle factors including sleep positions, work postures, and stress management.

What’s the most successful treatment for TMJ?

Physical therapy, medication, and mouthguards are the best ways to treat TMJ disorders with conservative management. At your physical therapy evaluation, your expert Release physical therapist will do a thorough assessment and help to address your posture, muscle tone, and lifestyle habits and help make changes that can help with your symptom management. These can be recommendations in diet changes to reduce pain with eating, postural adjustments to reduce strain on the head/jaw/neck, relaxation techniques and ways to address stress management, and tips to help reduce grinding and strain and prevent the need for surgical intervention. Call Release Physical Therapy today to schedule your evaluation if you think you would benefit from physical therapy for TMJ dysfunction.

What happens during the initial assessment for TMJ physical therapy?

During the initial evaluation for the TMJ, similar to any other body part, your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy will do a full evaluation. An evaluation includes a series of questions about you and your goals related to your TMJ dysfunction and medical history. From there, your therapist will do an assessment of your posture, how your jaw and neck move, your muscle and joint flexibility/mobility, and your strength. They will gather information to create a plan of care specifically designed for you and your goals. Usually, your therapist can get right to treatment on the very first day. They will take the information from your assessment and educate you on how your treatment sessions will look, including what to expect, frequency, duration, etc. Reach out to Release Physical Therapy today to get started if you are having TMJ pain.

What kind of treatments are generally done to help TMJ dysfunction?

Physical therapy, in conjunction with medication and mouthguards are the best way to treat TMJ dysfunction. Physical therapy treatment may include manual therapy including deep tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, dry needling, and stretching. It may also include other modalities such as laser therapy or shockwave therapy. Additionally, your therapist will provide you with a home exercise program that will help with self-management techniques and may include stretching, self-massage/mobilization, and strengthening/postural re-education.

What should I avoid while going through physical therapy for TMJ issues?

At your initial evaluation for your TMJ dysfunction, your therapist can help discuss what activities should be avoided while you are dealing with jaw pain. Sometimes your therapist will guide you to avoid certain foods that may aggravate your jaw, such as hard bread/bagels or chewing gum. They may also advise you to perform stress management techniques to avoid stress which can further impact jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and poor posture. If you have any questions about what you should and should not be doing, reach out to Release Physical Therapy today to schedule an evaluation and get an individualized answer just for you.

What are some good exercises to do to help aid in the healing of TMJ disorders?

There are many exercises that can help with treating TMJ dysfunction. Not every person will have the same set of answers depending on what is found in their initial evaluation. Some patients may benefit from jaw-strengthening exercises, while others may benefit from exercises that will target their neck or back and posture. Schedule your evaluation with Release Physical Therapy today and find out what exercises are best for you to do to mitigate your jaw/TMJ pain.

What’s the average time it takes for TMJ dysfunction to heal when using physical therapy?

The answer is anywhere from several weeks to several months. The length of time required to treat TMJ dysfunction depends on the nature of the injury and the function of the jaw. A patient’s overall health will also impact their prognosis. 

At Release Physical Therapy, we provide intensive 55-minute sessions designed to optimize recovery time without compromising on the quality of care. These sessions allow ample time for different therapeutic techniques best suited for the patient’s condition and are always tailored to the individual’s unique needs and circumstances. Commitment outside of the therapy session also plays a large role in recovery. Following the prescribed at-home exercises and care can significantly accelerate healing and improve long-term outcomes.