Treatment of Jaw Joint Pain & Dysfunction

What is TMJ Disorder and how do you know if you have it?

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your jawbone to your skull and are used every time you talk, eat or swallow.

A TMJ disorder occurs when a jaw injury, inflammation, arthritis or overuse causes jaw pain or dysfunction with your jaw joints and jaw muscles.

Signs that you may have TMJ Disorder include:

• Clicking, popping or grating noises in your jaw when you open or close your mouth
• Asymmetric jaw movements
• Pain around your jaw and face
• Tenderness of your jaw muscles
• Pain or difficulty in yawning, chewing or opening your mouth wide
• Inability to open your mouth wide to eat certain foods – your jaw feels locked
• Accelerated tooth wear (reported by your dentist)
• Frequent headaches, especially when your wake in the morning
• Ear pain or earache that often spreads to your face
• Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
• Pain or stiffness at the back of your head or neck
• Dizziness

Exercises and treatment for jaw joint pain and dysfunction

Although jaw pain however is a condition that is not commonly treated by most physiotherapists, at Proactive Physiotherapy our physiotherapists understand the complex link between the jaw and the head/neck.

Our physiotherapists have a special interest in TMJ related conditions and are highly experienced in the management and treatment of the symptoms of TMJ jaw joint pain and dysfunction, including face pain, neck pain and headaches.

Our multi-faceted and effective approach to managing TMJ disorder and face pain includes:

Treating both the inside and the outside of your mouth – helps to reduce the pain and spasm associated with these conditions and to assist the return of normal TMJ function.

Treating stiffness and spasm in your neck and upper back – provides relief from associated symptoms that you might experience if you have TMJ disorder.

Correcting your sleeping, sitting and standing postures – improves the position of your head on your neck and can reduce the load on your temporomandibular joints and associated structures.

Creating specific exercises – stretches tight muscles and strengthens others to help normalise your TMJ and neck function.

Coordinating TMJ treatments with other health professionals

Our physiotherapists work in conjunction with your referring dentist or specialist to coordinate any other treatment you may be receiving, such as the use of an oral (mouth) splint to protect your teeth from grinding and to help break the cycle of clenching / grinding.

We will also refer you to any other specialists with a special interest in TMJ disorder for further assessment / investigation and treatment where necessary.

There’s no need to put up with TMJ jaw joint pain and dysfunction. Jaw pain responds very well to specialised physiotherapy treatment, with most people experiencing significant improvement within the first few treatments.

Get relief from your jaw condition now. Contact the Proactive Physiotherapy Clinic today