Physiotherapy as an Effective Treatment for TMJ Pain
How Physiotherapy Can Help Relieve TMJ Pain
Introduction to Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint, commonly referred to as the “TMJ”, connects your jawbone with your skull. It is responsible for allowing you to open and close your mouth. When it becomes overworked or inflamed due to bruxism (teeth grinding), misalignment of the teeth or trauma from injury, it can lead to a condition known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). This disorder causes pain in the face that usually leads people seeking medical help from a specialist such by searching for a “physiotherapist near me“. In this article we will discuss how physiotherapy can be used effectively in treating patients with TMJ pain.
Symptoms of Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunctions & Its Causes
Symptoms associated with this disorder include difficulty opening and closing one’s mouth, pain when chewing and speaking, clicking of the jaw joint when eating or talking, headaches and neck aches. These symptoms can be caused by a number of factors including muscle overuse from grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw while sleeping; misalignment of the teeth due to an uneven bite; trauma from injury such as whiplash or hitting one’s face on a hard surface; arthritis in the joint itself.
Treatment with Physiotherapy for TMJ Pain
Physiotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMJD). The primary goal is to reduce inflammation in the affected area which results in decreased pain levels as well as improved range of motion. A physiotherapist may also provide manual therapy techniques such stretching exercises that focus on increasing mobility and reducing tightness around joints that have become stiff due to long-term immobility associated with this condition. Additionally, they may use other modalities like ultrasound therapy which helps promote healing through increased blood flow at targeted areas within inflamed muscles surrounding the TMJ joint complex .
Benefits & Conclusion
The benefits associated with physiotherapy for treating TMJD include reduced pain levels, improved range of motion in the jaw and neck, decreased tightness in muscles that have become stiff due to long-term immobility associated with this condition. Additionally, it can also help reduce stress levels as a result of reduced pain and increased mobility. It is important to note that all treatments should be tailored individually for each patient depending on their specific needs as well as any underlying medical conditions they may have.
Overall, physiotherapy can be an effective treatment option for those suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD). By targeting inflammation and reducing muscle tightness around the affected area through manual therapy techniques such stretching exercises or ultrasound therapy modalities , patients can experience relief from symptoms associated with TMJD such as headaches or neck aches while improving overall range of motion within the jaw joint complex .
