Are you feeling pain in your jaw? Physiotherapy can help you!

Sometimes you get to feel pain around your jaw, and you may wonder what might be the cause. However, you may simply be suffering from TMJ dysfunction.  TMJ dysfunction referred to as temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is a health problem that causes pain and stiffness in the jaw muscles and joints.

A joint referred temporomandibular joint at your jaw connects the jaw to the skull. This joint is made up of bones, muscles, and tendons. When this joint is damaged or affected due to injury, pain or stiffness it can cause pain, our Edmonton physio will assist you with exercises and manual therapy techniques to release any pain in it. This condition is known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction.   

If you find it difficult to yawn, talk, chew, feel pain in your jaw, or hear a clicking noise whenever you open or close your mouth, you may have TMJ dysfunction. Click TMJ physiotherapy Edmonton to book an appointment with our physiotherapists. We will help you relieve your jaw pain using therapeutic techniques.

How can I know if I have TMJ dysfunction? 

Currently, there is no specific method to know whether you have TMJ dysfunction or not personally. If you are lost in doubt about these conditions due to your symptoms, meet a physician to perform the necessary medical assessment. In some cases, you may be referred to a dentist or otolaryngologist specializing in jaw disorders. 

The assessment aims to know what is causing the problem before diagnosing a patient with TMJ dysfunction. In some cases, you might be experiencing similar symptoms due to other conditions such as salivary gland disease, swollen lymph nodes, or trigeminal neuralgia. When the cause of your problem has been identified, your treatment will be designed based on your health condition, assessment outcome, and nature of your symptoms.

Common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction 

TMJ dysfunction can be caused by different factors such as gum chewing, jaw injury, misalignment of the teeth, teeth grinding, or arthritis. When you are suffering from TMJ dysfunction, some of the common symptoms include but are not limited to these; 

• Jaw popping 
• Headaches 
• Jaw lock 
• Sore jaw muscles 
• Jaw pain 
• Pain in the temple 
• Earaches 

How can physiotherapy be used to treat TMJ dysfunction? 

We have noticed that most patients opt for home-relieving techniques (pain-relieving medication before coming to our clinic for physiotherapy treatment. Some purchase drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen. And in some cases, they also use ice blocks; by placing them directly on the jaw part, they can feel the pain so as to reduce pain. Likewise, sedative oils such as lavender or clary sage can also be used for temporary relief solutions. Sometimes, home remedies can be effective, but in a situation where it doesn’t provide long-lasting relief or are ineffective, a therapist’s need is highly advisable.  

Anti-inflammatory or stronger muscle relaxers medications can be prescribed to reduce your pain. If the teeth need an alignment or the teeth need to be prevented from grinding, a jaw specialist may apply a dental splint technique.  Other treatment techniques such as joint replacement, trigger point acupuncture, or a TMJ arthroscopy can also be used to treat TMJ dysfunction. 

However, if you are interested in getting a non-invasive, safe, and very effective method to treat your TMJ dysfunction, physiotherapy can help you! When you arrive for your first appointment at Family Physiotherapy, a full evaluation will be performed around your shoulder girdle, neck, and thoracic spine to identify if these parts are causing your problem. Once every necessary information has been collected, your physiotherapist will develop a personalized treatment plan based on symptoms, health condition/limitation, and assessment outcome. 

During your appointment, your physiotherapist will analyze your jaw mobility and help release muscle tension around the head and neck. Our TMJ physiotherapy treatment is designed to ensure better interaction of the jaw joints and muscles as well as to improve your overall health condition. Your personalized treatment plan may comprise any combination of techniques and modalities such as ultrasound, joint mobilization, jaw exercises, myofascial techniques, electrical stimulation, or soft tissue massage.    

Meet with our physiotherapists today!

We have a team of dedicated physiotherapists committed to improving your overall health condition by managing and eradicating symptoms or underlying conditions. If you are experiencing TMJ dysfunction symptoms, Contact Family Physiotherapy today to book an appointment. 

We help you to eradicate jaw pain and stiffness as fast as possible.