Is TMJ Physical Therapy Worth It?

Opening your jaw, chewing, and speaking feels normal. But, what if you experience pain while carrying out these activities?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) helps you open your jaw easily to speak, chew, and yawn. Unfortunately, a disorder in this joint can lead to discomfort whenever you open your mouth. Treating the disorder promptly can help prevent the pain from worsening.

Fortunately, physical therapy can help. This blog discusses TMJ disorder, why you need treatment, and how physical therapy in Marietta helps.

What is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull in front of each ear. TMJ is not the same as TMD, which is a temporomandibular joint disorder causing symptoms such as difficulty eating, speaking, and sleeping. You may also feel jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, and clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth.

What are the Causes of TMD?

TMJ disorder can be caused by stress, jaw injury, arthritis, teeth misalignment, and bruxism. However, certain lifestyle habits can make your symptoms worse. For instance, using your teeth as tools, chewing on pens and pencils, chewing on ice, or excessively chewing gum can worsen your symptoms.

Poor posture can also increase pressure on the shoulder, neck, and facial muscles, increasing the risk of TMD.

How Does TMJ Therapy Help You?

Failing to treat TMD can lead to serious problems, such as chronic pain and an inability to sleep, TMD therapy can have a profoundly positive impact on your life. The most significant effect that TMD therapy can have is pain reduction. Your physical therapist will design a specific treatment plan for you that targets and reduces the discomfort you are experiencing in your jaw, neck, and head.

Another effect that TMD therapy can have is that it can help you to chew more comfortably. After TMD, cervical spine and posture therapy are second to help regain a life with less discomfort and more functionality.

Furthermore, when TMD is treated effectively, it can restore the function of the jaw, affecting everything from chewing and speaking to yawning—that’s how you know you can open your mouth again and not feel restricted. You will find that you can eat some of your favorite foods.

If you suffer from TMD, you probably also suffer from sleep disturbances due to teeth grinding and/or jaw clenching. Treating TMD can help with your nighttime discomfort, allowing you to sleep more soundly and feel more rested during the day.

Living with chronic pain can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Many people with TMD experience the same stress and irritability as those with fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions. Treating TMD can give you better mental health, as well. You may notice a reduction in the number of times you get upset or stressed out.

TMJ therapy can put you on the right track to having better mental health—along with better physical health—because you aren’t waking up and being greeted by another day of endless torment to your jaw and head. And you aren’t being denied the simple pleasure of munching on a chip or bite-sized morsel.

When we do consider surgery for TMD, it’s usually when other treatments have been tried and failed, and even then, the decision to operate is made cautiously. TMJ therapy can reduce the likelihood of surgery or prevent it altogether.

How Can Physical Therapy Help with TMD?

TMD symptoms can be alleviated through physical therapy. After your initial evaluation, your therapist will create a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. The primary goal of regular TMJ therapy in Marietta is to build muscle endurance and improve the flexibility and strength of the jaw muscles. With improved function of the jaw and a reduction of symptoms, making it through everyday activities will be more comfortable.

Techniques for TMD in physical therapy involve using some basic modalities. These include heat or ice therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. The basic idea behind these treatments is that you’re trying to penetrate tissues to relieve pain and improve motion.

Hands-on treatment(manual therapy) like joint mobilization and soft tissue release are also therapy options for TMD.

An exercise regimen may also be designed for you by a physical therapist. This regimen will consist of a range of exercises that are intended to help relieve muscle tension and improve your flexibility. The exercises can correct any muscular imbalances that are affecting your posture or the alignment of your head, neck, and jaw. Your physical therapist will monitor your progress and ensure that you are using the correct form while doing the exercises.

Conclusion

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows you to perform some of the most vital functions in the lower part of your face. Disorders in this joint can lead to a serious reduction in your quality of life. If you’re experiencing pain in the TMJ or find it troublesome to yawn or open your mouth, a visit to the physical therapist may help. They will work with you to realign the joint and strengthen the associated structures, leading to a much better daily existence. If you’d like to know more, we’d be happy to see you at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers – Marietta.