TMJ Dysfunction

TMJ dysfunction: the tipoff is pain in the jaw

If you place your hands directly below your ears, on either side of your face, you’ll find the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ for short. It’s where your jaw connects to your skull, in the area near your temples, and it’s the joint that allows your mouth to open and close as well as chew. Like all joints, you can develop pain on one or both sides of your TMJ. The pain can occur with chewing or opening and closing the mouth, and in some cases the joint will even lock, leading to headaches and difficulty moving your jaw.

At Motion Dynamics, our team of physical therapists can help with the painful effects of TMJ disorder. After careful evaluation, we’ll be able to determine how each side is working — whether the joints are stiff or not moving properly. We may recommend treatments that include stretching exercises in addition to ultrasound, which provides deep heat into the muscles and joints. This can help relax the muscles, increase circulation for healing and reduce pain.

If you are experiencing jaw pain, ask your dentist or doctor for a physical therapy referral, and then give us a call today.