How Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve The Discomforts Of TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is noted as one of the most exhausted joints found in the body. This pair of joints that bridge the upper jaw to the lower jaw is what helps us to speak, swallow, chew, yawn and sneeze. It is located on both sides of the cranium. Because of the integral roles that this joint perform, along with the stress and pressures that it is subject to, it could become the source of differing jaw disorders collectively called temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ.



There are several factors that could pave way for the development of TMJ. A severe injury to the jaw or temporomandibular joint could disrupt the smooth motion of the jaw, causing pain or locking, which overtime could actually lead to TMJ. Aside from accidents and injuries to the jaw, other factors that cause TMJ include teeth grinding or clenching, dislocation of the cushion between the socket and ball as well as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the temporomandibular joint. Stress and tension could also awaken TMJ, or could intensify an existing TMJ disorder.



There are various treatment options available to relieve TMJ, including pharmaceutical and psychological approaches. Unfortunately, most of the results of these treatments are not proven effective or for the long-term because they do not address the physical causes of the said condition. Good thing physical therapy for TMJ is now accessible, patients could experience relief from the discomforts and pain induced by such disorder.



Physical therapy for TMJ is a known conservative and reversible treatment for TMJ-related dysfunctions. It is centered in providing patients with gentle muscle stretching and relaxation exercises and is sometimes combined with short-term pharmacological approaches. The main objectives of TMJ physical therapy are to reduce the pain created by TMJ, decrease intra-articular inflammation or tendonitis, restoration of the normal function of the mandible, and normalize ROM.



Physical therapy for TMJ involves a variety of modalities. These include heat in the form of heat pack, ultrasound or phonophoresis; electrotherapy; cyrotherapy; and manual techniques like soft tissue mobilization massages, joint mobilization/distraction, or cervical traction. It should also be regarded that TMJ is a complex disorder that demands various levels of physical therapy, which is why it can sometimes be necessary to combine any of the aforesaid approaches in order to arrive at desired results. Similarly, since not all TMJ sufferers present the same clinical presentation, it is important that a therapist determines first the main causes of the disorder in order to establish a feasible physical therapy plan for the patient.



After receiving physical therapy treatment for your disorder, your physical therapist would educate you about the things that you have know about your condition, which in turn would help you in relieving TMJ-related pain and preventing possible TMJ symptom relapses. This education include a home rehabilitation program that include points like no chewing of gum, ice, and/or fingernails, no clenching of teeth, no wide opening of jaws when eating, singing, yawning and talking. You would also be provided with exercises that are intentionally made to address the issues concerning your posture.