Did You Know Manual Therapy Can Help You Find TMJ Relief?
If you’ve ever experienced a nagging pain in your jaw when you wake up in the morning or sometimes feel a sharp pain in your jaw when eating, you may have a condition called TMJ disorder. TMJ, short for temporomandibular joint, refers to the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorder occurs when the joint isn’t working correctly, which can cause discomfort or pain while chewing and speaking. Fortunately, manual therapy techniques for TMJ dysfunction relief offer pain relief without over-the-counter pain medication or surgery, plus the added benefits of promoting stress relief and relaxation.
Read on to learn more about TMJ Disorder and how it can be treated with manual therapy.
Find TMJ Relief By Understanding What Can Cause It
TMJ disorder can cause earaches, headaches, and neck pain, plus audible popping and clicking sounds during jaw movement. Patients seek TMJ dysfunction relief for symptoms such as tenderness on the outside of the jaw, trouble sleeping, and difficulty eating, drinking, and speaking.
A variety of conditions cause TMJ Disorder, and the most common are:
Bruxism
- Grinding or clenching the teeth during sleep.
Arthritis
- Inflammation of the joints and erosion of cartilage causing pain and limited range of motion.
Poor Postural Awareness
- Standing, sitting, lying, or moving in a hunched-over or awkward position for too long can cause stress and overuse on muscles and joints.
Stress and Anxiety
- When stressed or anxious, individuals often unconsciously clench their jaw or grind their teeth, which puts excessive strain on the temporomandibular joint, leading to inflammation, pain, and dysfunction. Additionally, stress can heighten muscle tension throughout the body, including the muscles responsible for jaw movement.
Research indicates that individuals receiving manual therapy for their TMJ disorder experience noticeable pain reduction within a few sessions. Additionally, a number of patients achieve complete restoration of jaw function, leading to the elimination of pain.
TMJ Relief With Manual Therapy at Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Manual therapy techniques help to reduce muscle tension and inflammation and emphasize stress management solutions that can improve overall relaxation. Common manual therapy techniques we use to help our patients find TMJ relief in our clinic include:
Trigger Point Release
- Direct and firm pressure to the muscle points exhibiting “knots” or tightness to induce relaxation in the affected area.
Myofascial Release
- Gentle, slow pressure therapy that slowly stretches connective tissue to help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve mobility.
At Peak Orthopedic Physical Therapy, we emphasize treating the whole person, which includes a focus on the emotional well-being of our patients. Studies show that heightened feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression often precede the onset of TMJ disorder. Fortunately, the manual therapy techniques we use to help with TMJ dysfunction relief are also effective in reducing the symptoms of those conditions, too.
At your first appointment, our PTs will complete a thorough evaluation to understand your medical history, contributing lifestyle factors, and existing condition. We will ask detailed questions about the TMJ pain you experience, like the primary location of the pain, whether or not the pain seems to spread to other areas of the body, how often the pain occurs, and any remedies you’ve tried. We will also perform a physical examination of your head, neck, face, and jaw for any tenderness and listen for any sounds associated with the movement of your jaw.
Don’t wait any longer to discover a medication-free, natural, and stress-relieving treatment for TMJ discomfort. Contact us today and finally find lasting TMJ relief!
