The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) connects the mandible (your lower jaw bone) to your temporal bone (upper jaw bone or skull). The Temporomandibular Joint is a complex joint that includes an articular disk (located in between the bones in the TMJ). Numerous muscles as masseter, pterygoid temporalis act to open and close the jaw. Dysfunction of your TMJ will cause the muscles that close the joint to become tight and when they are tight enough they become tender.
Symptoms of Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorder vary greatly and can include:
● Headaches, especially in the morning
● Reduced range of movements or locking of the TMJ
● Jaw pain with chewing , yawning and sometimes with talking
● Ear pain
● Tenderness with tightness in the muscles of the cheek
● Clicking, granting noise with jaw movements
What should I do for my TMJ pain?
Physiotherapy can help tremendously in this regard. Our physiotherapists, at “BetterLife Physiotherapy” have advanced relevant manual/hands-on training in TMJ dysfunction and will determine the cause of your TMJ symptoms through the examination of:
● Postural alignment
● Breathing pattern
● Cervical spine assessment
● Range TMJ movement including assessing for joint clicking (subluxation/dislocation)
● TMJ muscle length, strength and function
How would a physiotherapist treat Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorder?
Many techniques can be used and include but are not limited to:
● Tissue release techniques
● Manual mobilizations of the cervical spine and the TMJ
● Posture education/ exercises
● Muscle rebalancing / stabilizing exercises
