Dealing With Jaw Pain? Find Relief for TMJ Dysfunction
Are you having a hard time chewing or yawning? Are you feeling pain in your jaw? When you open or close your mouth, do you hear clicking noises? If so, you might have TMD, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Your jaw is connected to your skull by the temporomandibular joint. TMD is a condition that causes the jaw joint and its associated muscles to become painful and stiff. TMD can develop if there is an injury to this joint or it is damaged in some way.
The temporomandibular joint is a complicated structure made up of bones, tendons, and muscles that can make you experience discomfort on one or both sides of your jaw. This can make opening your mouth, talking, yawning, and chewing very difficult.
If you’re done dealing with the inconveniences of TMD, you can find help with physical therapy. Call us today to make an appointment with an ARC Physical Therapy physical therapist.
Symptoms of TMD
Symptoms of TMJ disorder include jaw pain, popping of the jaw, headaches, sore jaw muscles, lock jaw, temple pain, ringing in the ears and earaches.
There are several reasons why TMJ dysfunction can develop, but misalignment of the teeth, gum chewing, arthritis, teeth grinding, or injury to the jaw are some common causes.
A physical therapist in Westmont, IL will examine your medical history and conduct tests if you think you might be suffering from this disorder.
You can also be referred by your physician to an otolaryngologist or dentist specializing in jaw disorders.
Before diagnosing TMD any other medical conditions should be ruled out, as the symptoms can also be related to a condition known as trigeminal neuralgia, salivary gland disease, or even swollen lymph nodes.
How physical therapy can improve TMD
Physical therapy is a common intervention for TMJ disorder, if you choose to stop taking pain-relieving drugs and use a more holistic method.
At your initial appointment with ARC Physical Therapy, a comprehensive evaluation will be done on your neck, shoulders, and thoracic spine to determine if those structures are contributing to your symptoms.
Our physical therapists will analyze your jaw mobility and release muscle tension in the areas surrounding your neck and head. The goal of physical therapy is to restore your normal function.
Your treatment plan may consist of any combination of methods and modalities, including jaw exercises, soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, myofascial techniques, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound.
Get started on a treatment plan for TMD today
If you are in Westmont, IL suffering from the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction, request an appointment at ARC Physical Therapy.
Our physical therapists are patient-centric and committed to your health, working hard to help you manage and eliminate symptoms.
Don’t suffer from jaw pain and stiffness any longer!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!
