TMJ DISORDERS
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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. This disorder causes pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the jaw joint, making it difficult to chew, speak, and even yawn. TMJ can be caused by:
- bad posture habits
- chronic jaw clenching at night
- problems with teeth alignment
- fracture
- surgery
- Trismus (lock jaw)
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders can affect more than just the jaw. Because the jaw, neck, and surrounding muscles work together, symptoms may also be felt throughout the face, head, and neck.
Common symptoms may include:
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Pain while chewing
- Clicking or popping in the jaw
- Jaw stiffness
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Limited jaw movement
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Muscle tightness around the jaw
- Pain around the ear
- Jaw locking
- Difficulty yawning comfortably
Symptoms vary from person to person, which is why a thorough evaluation is important for determining the appropriate treatment approach
Your Physical Therapist can help restore the natural movement of your jaw and decrease your pain. If the therapist determines that your jaw pain is not related to teeth alignment, the therapist will select treatments that will work best for you.
Learn more from our staff contributed articles.
Locations of Service:
TMJ Treatments
After conducting a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying causes of the patient’s symptoms, a personalized treatment plan may include the following:
How Physical Therapy Can Help TMJ Disorders
Physical therapy can help address the muscles, joints, posture, and movement patterns that contribute to TMJ symptoms.
After completing a comprehensive evaluation, your physical therapist will develop an individualized treatment program based on your specific symptoms and limitations.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for TMJ Disorders
Depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms, TMJ physical therapy may help:
- Reduce jaw pain
- Improve jaw mobility
- Reduce muscle tension
- Improve mouth opening
- Improve chewing comfort
- Reduce neck discomfort
- Improve posture
- Restore normal jaw movement
- Reduce stiffness
- Improve confidence with everyday activities
The goal is to address the factors contributing to your symptoms while helping restore comfortable, functional movement.
TMJ Disorder Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients in Illinois can access physical therapy without first obtaining a physician referral. Insurance requirements can vary, so our team can help determine your coverage and explain your options.
It depends on the cause of your symptoms. Dental issues such as problems with the teeth or bite may require evaluation by a dentist, while physical therapists can address problems involving jaw movement, muscles, posture, and surrounding joints. In some cases, collaborative care may be appropriate.
Treatment length varies depending on the cause and severity of your symptoms. After your initial evaluation, your therapist will recommend a personalized treatment plan and monitor your progress throughout therapy.
Yes. When restricted jaw movement is related to muscle tightness or joint mobility, physical therapy may help improve range of motion through manual therapy, exercises, and movement retraining.
Posture can influence the position and movement of the head, neck, and jaw. For some patients, improving posture and neck mobility can be an important component of TMJ treatment.
Jaw muscle tension and dysfunction may contribute to headaches in some individuals. A physical therapist can evaluate the jaw, neck, posture, and surrounding muscles to determine whether these factors may be contributing to your symptoms.
Clicking and popping can occur when structures within the temporomandibular joint move differently during opening or closing. Clicking does not always require treatment, but clicking accompanied by pain, locking, or difficulty moving the jaw should be evaluated.
Yes. Physical therapy can help patients whose TMJ symptoms are related to joint mobility, muscle tension, weakness, posture, or movement dysfunction. Your therapist will perform an evaluation to determine whether physical therapy is appropriate for your symptoms.