Are You Having Jaw Pain? TMJ Could Be The Culprit; Physical Therapy Can Help!
Your jawbone and your skull are connected by the temporomandibular joint. TMJ, or “temporomandibular joint condition”, is a disorder that affects the jaw joint and the muscles that surround it, causing discomfort and stiffness. TMJ dysfunction can occur if the joint is injured.
If you have difficulty opening your mouth to eat or yawn, or hear a click/popping sound when you open or close your mouth, you may have TMJ. Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our New Brighton, PA physical therapists.
Causes And Symptoms Of TMJ
Although there is no specific way to diagnose TMJ dysfunction, our physical therapists will review your medical history and perform testing if you believe you may be suffering from it. Tooth misalignment, gum chewing, arthritis, teeth grinding, or jaw injury are all typical causes of TMJ discomfort.
Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
- Headaches
- Sore jaw muscles
- Lockjaw
- Pain in the temples
- Earaches
- Jaw pain
- Pain when eating or chewing
- Jaw popping
Before diagnosing TMJ, any other medical disorders should be ruled out, as symptoms could be caused by trigeminal neuralgia, salivary gland disease, or swollen lymph nodes. You may also be referred to an otolaryngologist or dentist specializing in jaw disorders by your doctor. Until your condition is determined, you will be treated based on the severity of your symptoms.
Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? If so, contacting a physical therapist at Albanese Physical Therapy is a good idea for pain relief.
What Should I Expect With TMJ Dysfunction Treatment?
At your first appointment with Albanese Physical Therapy, a thorough examination of your neck, shoulders, and thoracic spine will be performed to determine whether those structures are causing your symptoms.
Our physical therapist will assess jaw mobility and work to relieve neck and head muscle tightness. Our physical therapy treatments in New Brighton, PA are designed to help you regain normal function as well as the proper interaction of your jaw muscles and joints.
One of our trained physical therapist will then develop a care plan for you based on the kinds of symptoms you’re having and your individual needs. Your recovery plan may involve a range of procedures and modalities, such as jaw exercises, soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, myofascial methods, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound.
Call our clinic today for an appointment
If you are living with symptoms of TMJ dysfunction, it is time to take a stand against your pain. Our physical therapists are patient-centered and committed to your health, and we won’t stop until you are experiencing relief! Schedule an appointment today.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!
