Are you having difficulty chewing or yawning? Do you have jaw pain, headaches, migraines? Do you hear a clicking noise when you open and shut your mouth? If so, these may all be symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, also known as TMJ dysfunction, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness of the jaw joint and its surrounding muscles. This can make it very difficult to open your mouth, talk, yawn, and chew.
The TMJ connects the jaw to the skull. If there is an injury to this joint or it becomes damaged in any way, TMJ dysfunction may develop. It’s important to realize that the TMJ is a complex and important structure comprised of bones, tendons, and muscles that may cause you to feel pain on one or both sides of your jaw. If you are suffering from TMJ dysfunction, or you think you might be, contact Prestige Physiotherapy today to schedule an appointment and find relief.
How Physiotherapy Helps
In some cases, home remedies can be used to treat TMJ dysfunction. Some people respond well to over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin. Applying ice packs directly to the jaw joint can also help relieve pain. You may also find temporary relief through sedative essential oils, such as clary sage or lavender.
When home remedies don’t work at providing relief, medical intervention may be necessary. Stronger muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to manage pain. Your Dentist may prescribe you with a dental splint to keep your teeth properly aligned and prevent tooth grinding.
However, if you want to avoid taking pain-relieving medication and use a more holistic approach, physiotherapy is perhaps one of the most effective treatments for TMJ dysfunction. At your initial appointment, a comprehensive evaluation will be done of the neck, shoulder girdle, and thoracic spine in order to determine if those structures are causing your symptoms. Afterward, our physiotherapists will create a treatment plan based on the nature of your symptoms and your specific needs.
We will will analyze your jaw mobility and release muscle tension in the areas surrounding your neck and head. The goal of physiotherapy is to restore your normal function and the interaction of the jaw muscles and joints. Your treatment plan may consist of any combination of methods and modalities, including jaw exercises, soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, myofascial techniques, IMS/Dry Needling, electrical stimulation and ultrasound.
If you are suffering from TMJ dysfunction, or you think you might be, contact us to book an appointment.