Are You Having Jaw Pain? TMJ Dysfunction Could Be The Culprit; Physical Therapy Can Help!
The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone and your skull. TMJ dysfunction is a disorder that affects the jaw joint and the muscles that surround it, causing discomfort and stiffness. Likewise, if a joint is injured, TMJ dysfunction may occur.
Do you have difficulty opening your mouth to eat or yawn? Have you been hearing a clicking sound when you open or close your mouth?
If you’re nodding your head “yes” to those questions, you could have TMJ dysfunction. The good news is it’s time to say goodbye to jaw pain. Give Harter Physical Therapy a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled Doctors of Physical Therapy in Clearwater, Goddard or Cheney, KS!
Causes And Symptoms Of TMJ Dysfunction
There is no specific way to diagnose TMJ dysfunction. However, our Doctors of Physical Therapy will review your medical history and perform tests to determine the likelihood of this condition causing you pain.
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 with eating
- Pain with chewing
- Jaw popping
Your symptoms could be caused by other conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, salivary gland disease, or swollen lymph nodes. Other medical disorders should be ruled out first before diagnosing TMJ disorder.
Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist or dentist specializing in jaw disorders. You’ll be treated based on the severity of your symptoms until a diagnosis has been made.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, contacting a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Harter Physical Therapy is a good idea for pain relief.
What Is Treatment For TMJ Dysfunction Like?
A thorough examination of your neck, shoulders, and thoracic spine will be performed. This examination will determine if those structures are causing your symptoms.
Our Doctor of Physical Therapy will assess jaw mobility and work to relieve neck and head muscle tightness. You will regain normal function with our treatments. Moreover, therapy will also help encourage proper interaction of your jaw muscles and joints.
One of our trained Doctors of Physical Therapy will then develop a care plan for you based on your needs and symptoms. In addition, 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 Doctors of Physical Therapy are patient-centered and committed to your health. We won’t stop until you are experiencing relief! Schedule an appointment in Clearwater, Goddard or Cheney, KS today.