Your jaw hurts when you bite, chew and talk! Is there anything that can be done for it? And what exactly is causing the pain? The temporomandibular joint (or TMJ for short) is the joint that allows us to open and close our jaw to eat, drink and talk! Just like al the joints in our body we have muscles that act on it. Just like all the other muscles in our body those muscles can be weak, tight and painful! For a more detailed discussion on the TMJ, refer to our blog You and your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).
You might even notice your jaw clicks or locks.
Did you know that physical therapists help treat TMJ dysfunction?
The first step in treatment is always a good evaluation. We want to know how long this has been going on, what makes symptoms worse and better (if there is anything). An evaluation helps us make sure we are treating the right thing and rule out other disorders that have some similar symptoms. Once we determine that TMJ is the true cause of the symptoms you're having, then we can dive into treatment! We will start by releasing the following muscles:
- Masseter;
- Temporalis
- Lateral Pterygoids
How do physical therapists treat jaw pain?
We can employ a variety of manual techniques to relax those muscles including dry needling, and joint mobilizations. This helps those muscles settle and becomes less agitated and can help reduce the disc displacement. Your physical therapist will educate you on things to avoid, and what to add into your daily routine. They will also give you a series of exercises designed to support the jaw.
Does heat help jaw pain?
One that that can be helpful while at home is moist heat on your jaw and those sore muscles. Make sure your heating pad is at a medium temperature, because the face is more sensitive than other areas of the body. If it's getting too warm remove the heat or put a layer between it. Similarly a warm washcloth in the shower can also feel very good.
Physical therapy for jaw pain in Columbia and Baltimore, Maryland
If you have jaw pain, our specialized physical therapists at Glackin Physiotherapy can help reduce jaw pain and improve your quality of life.Reach out to our office today!
