TMJ Physical Therapy

       TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. The medical term used to describe the disorder is TMD which stands for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction syndrome, either way it’s a painful condition of the jaw joint. The jaw joints which are located on both sides of the face in front of the ears, connect the jawbone (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone). Believe it or not they are one of the most complicated joints in the human body. They provide pivoting movements like all joints, as well as sliding movement, called translation. Its what allows us to open our mouths wide and move our jaws from side to side. Between the top end of the jaw and the socket in the skull is a disc of cartilage, which serve as padding to protect the bones from hitting each other.

       Some of the causes that lead to TMJ/TMD are trauma from an accident, falling, blows to the face, grinding or clinching of the teeth during your sleep, bad bite, even strong emotions which could lead to stiffening of the muscles or posture or arrangement of the jaw or head for extended periods, which could also produce strain on the joints and muscles in this area.

       There are quite a few symptoms to look for, but we’ll just keep it simple here and list a couple to get you started so you will have a better understanding about what to look for:

You jaw hurts when you talk, yawn or chew.

You are unable to open your mouth wide.

You may experience a neck, shoulder or ear pain.

You may experience ringing in the ears, also popping or clicking sounds in the jaw.

A tingling sensation in the arms or fingers.

Stiffness and fatigue in the jaw muscles.

Unexplained tooth wear or chipping.

The more severe symptoms are dizziness and vomiting, temporary hearing loss and of course the famous lock jaw.

       Now I know what you thinking, how in the world can a jaw joint condition have an affect on your hands and fingers, neck, shoulders and ears? Well, ask me why every time I yawn, my left ear goes deaf. As well as why I can’t chew gum anymore because of the clicking in my jaw and the pain in my neck and right shoulder when I do. Or why I don’t have long winded conversations with my wife anymore, wait is that why or is it because she is always right no matter what, oh yeah I forget.

       So anyway, now it’s time to discuss some of the treatments. Most treatments of TMJ/TMD are done according to the TMJ symptoms that the patient is having. The Doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines along with some painkillers. Your dentist might tell you that you need a mouth guard to realign your jaw. Your Doctor might even recommend surgery for TMJ but be sure to try looking at alternative means of correcting your problem first. Although more on the expense side, physical therapy for TMJ is more effective than what the medicines can do for you. With physical therapy you get increased joint flexibility and muscle relaxation as well as pained alleviation. Some of the techniques and procedures used for TMJ physical therapy are ultrasound, Transmittance Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), friction massage, electromyography biofeedback and spray and stretch exercises.

       Wile doing my research, I came across a lot of helpful websites. A good site to a information guide to help provide you with TMJ care decisions is tmj.com. TMJ diet and exercise treatments can be done to help minimize the pain of TMJ and there are TMJ treatment centers that can do TMJ tests and diagnosis for you. Thank you for joining us and I hope you find what you looking for.