TMJ Pain - Jaw Pain

John Miller Physiotherapist

Article by John Miller

TMD Physio

Tailored Solutions for Jaw Pain

Navigating TMJ Relief with Professional Care

Jaw pain, commonly referred to as TMJ pain, can stem from various causes. The culprits often include TMJ dysfunction, sinus infections, and dental issues. Yet, the prime instigator of persistent jaw discomfort, clicking, and limited movement is Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD). This condition arises from irregular temporomandibular joint (TMJ) motion. TMD can also give rise to debilitating jaw headaches.

The hallmark of TMJ disorder manifests as orofacial discomfort, jaw headaches, or the notorious clicking sound upon movement. A clicking, locking, or painful jaw is indicative of a TMJ disorder, a condition that can be highly disruptive.

Jaw pain can trace back to traumatic incidents like a broken jaw, dislocation, or dental surgeries. Chronic habits like teeth clenching, grinding, or poor jaw posture can also be responsible, like leaning on your jaw.

In the quest for relief, various healthcare professionals may assist in alleviating TMJ dysfunction or jaw pain. You can seek guidance from a dentist, orthodontist, dental prosthetist, oral maxillofacial (OMF) surgeon, or a TMJ physiotherapist.

Deciphering the TMJ Assistance that You Should First Seek

As a general guideline, your TMJ healthcare providers will focus on their strengths and collaboratively work to solve your TMJ dysfunction. Here’s some clinical strength when determining who to consult first about your TMD.

Dentist

Your dentist will evaluate your bite, suggesting a bite plate for gradual jaw alignment over several weeks or months and providing comprehensive dental care. Dentists are astute at assisting TMD related to your bite in a teeth closed position.

Orthodontist

An orthodontist will assess your bite and recommend teeth alignment strategies, such as braces, to enhance jaw closure. You may be referred by your dentist.

Dental Prosthetist

Dental prosthetists assist individuals who are missing some of their natural teeth. They will analyse your bite and devise or modify your denture to promote jaw alignment over weeks or months. This may assist the closed jaw posture TMDs for patient with unopposed teeth.

Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon

Evaluating your TMJ health, proposing surgical interventions to enhance jaw function over weeks or months, and often working with acute trauma cases, like broken jaws and chronic TMJ sufferers. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are normally a last resort for TMD.

TMJ Physiotherapist

TMJ Physiotherapists boast advanced training in TMJ motion and its correction. They identify the source of your jaw issue, clicking, locking, or TMJ dysfunction. They are the clinicians of choice for TMD related to when your mouth is open, or you experience jaw clicking and locking.

Read more: TMJ treatment.

tmj physiotherapist brisbane

TMJ & Jaw Pain FAQs

John Miller Physiotherapist

Article by John Miller

Understanding TMJ: Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes TMJ

What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorders, or TMD, refer to a range of conditions that cause pain and discomfort in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. More info: TMJ Dysfunction.

What are the common symptoms of TMJ disorders?

TMJ disorders can lead to various symptoms, including jaw pain, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, clicking or popping sounds when chewing or talking, jaw headaches, earaches, and neck pain.

What causes TMJ disorders?

The exact cause of TMJ disorders isn't always straightforward. However, factors like jaw injuries, teeth loss, arthritis, teeth grinding (bruxism), facial muscle stress, poor posture, and certain medical conditions can contribute to developing TMJ issues. Clicking and locking jaw involves an articular disc derangement.

How are TMJ disorders diagnosed?

A dentist, TMJ physiotherapist or a Craniomandibular specialist will typically examine your jaw and listen for clicking or popping sounds when you move it. X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs may provide a detailed view of the joint and surrounding structures. But, most TMJ radiological changes will only become apparent in chronic cases. How your jaw is aligned at it opens is an important diagnostic and treatment guide.

What can I do at home to alleviate TMJ pain?

Applying moist heat packs to your jaw muscles, practising relaxation techniques to reduce stress, eating soft foods, avoiding gum chewing, and maintaining good posture can help manage TMJ pain at home. Avoiding over-clenching and practising full opening exercises and facial muscle massage are helpful.

When should I seek professional help for TMJ issues?

If you experience persistent or worsening pain in your jaw joint, headaches, clicking or difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or if your symptoms interfere with daily activities, you should consult a dentist or a TMJ physiotherapist for proper evaluation and treatment.

What are the treatment options for TMJ disorders?

Treatment varies based on the severity and cause of the condition. It can include self-care measures like rest and gentle jaw exercises, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, dental splints or mouthguards, TMJ physiotherapy, and in severe cases, surgery. In some instances crowns and bridges can improve teeth alignment, which improve your TMJ resting posture. Most cases do not require surgery.

Can TMJ disorders be prevented?

While some factors are beyond your control, such as genetics, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Avoid excessive gum or pen lid chewing, practice good posture, manage stress effectively, and wear protective mouthguards if you tend to grind your teeth. Gentle preventative exercises can also be prescribed by your TMJ physiotherapist.

How can a dentist help with TMJ issues?

Dentists can thoroughly assess your condition, offer guidance on pain management techniques, recommend appropriate treatments, and create custom-fitted oral appliances to alleviate symptoms and prevent teeth grinding. Oral plates assist with the resting posture of your TMJs so is probably the most effective

Are there any complications associated with untreated TMJ disorders?

If left untreated, TMJ disorders can lead to significant and permanent arthritis joint changes, articular disc degradation, chronic pain, difficulty eating, worsening teeth grinding, and even changes in the alignment of your teeth and jaw.

How can a physiotherapist assist with TMJ issues?

Physiotherapists play a crucial role in managing TMJ disorders by focusing on the muscles and joints involved in jaw movement. A TMJ physiotherapist' s strength is the improvement in the symmetrical motion of your TMJs to fully open and close. They use a range of techniques to help alleviate pain and improve jaw function:

Manual Therapy

Physiotherapists use hands-on techniques to manipulate and mobilise the jaw joint, helping to restore its normal range of motion and reduce discomfort.

Exercises

Physiotherapists can design specific exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles around the jaw. These exercises help improve jaw stability, reduce muscle tension, and enhance overall jaw function.

Posture Correction

Poor posture can contribute to TMJ issues. A physiotherapist can assess your posture and guide you on maintaining proper alignment, which can help alleviate strain on the jaw joint.

Relaxation Techniques

Stress and tension often exacerbate TMJ problems. Physiotherapists can teach relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, to help manage stress and reduce muscle tension in the jaw area.

Pain Management

Physiotherapists can use various modalities, such as ultrasound, heat therapy, or electrical stimulation, to help manage pain and inflammation in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.

Education

A physiotherapist can provide valuable instruction about proper jaw mechanics, ergonomics, and habits that might contribute to TMJ issues. They can guide you on how to modify your daily activities to reduce strain on the jaw.

Collaboration

Physiotherapists often work collaboratively with dentists, orthodontists, and other healthcare professionals to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses TMJ disorders' structural and functional aspects.

Incorporating physiotherapy into your TMJ treatment plan can enhance your overall recovery by targeting muscle imbalances, improving joint mobility, and providing you with tools to manage pain and stress effectively. It's advisable to consult with a qualified TMJ physiotherapist who has experience in treating jaw pain issues to receive personalised care tailored to your needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TMJ disorders can cause discomfort and interfere with daily life. However, with proper care and treatment, many people find relief from their symptoms. Suppose you're experiencing persistent jaw pain or related symptoms. In that case, it's wise to consult your dentist or a TMJ physiotherapist for a thorough assessment and guidance tailored to your situation.

TMJ & Jaw Pain FAQs

John Miller Physiotherapist

Article by John Miller

TMJ Treatment: Finding the Optimal Approach

Determining the most effective treatment for TMJ dysfunction hinges on a few key factors: the clinical diagnosis, the specific nature of the TMJ dysfunction, and its duration over time.

For instances of TMJ opening disorders, enhancing jaw movement techniques often yield favourable outcomes. These techniques encompass a spectrum from jaw muscle massages to dry needling or acupuncture, muscle relaxation exercises, and joint capsule stretching methods. These approaches are typically administered by your physiotherapist, ensuring a tailored approach to your condition.

In contrast, the management of TMJ closing disorders, like bruxism (teeth grinding), usually falls within the domain of your dentist due to the relevance of teeth occlusion. If needed, occlusion splints or bite plates can offer assistance.

When to See Your Dentist or TMJ Physiotherapist?

When in doubt about the most suitable path for treatment, it's advisable to consult a TMJ physiotherapist for concerns about jaw joint pain, clicking, or limited motion during mouth opening. For issues related to teeth clenching, your dentist can provide guidance. Remember, seeking the counsel of a TMJ health professional is paramount, as they can guide you toward the most appropriate care pathway, if required.

Physiotherapy TMJ Treatment

Following a thorough assessment, your TMJ physiotherapist will embark on corrective measures, where applicable. The effectiveness of TMJ physiotherapy predominantly stems from its capacity to address movement disorders rooted in muscle and joint control.

Prompt Relief through Physiotherapy for TMJ Dysfunction

A silver lining lies in the fact that your TMJ physiotherapist initiates treatment for your TMJ dysfunction, muscular tension, or coordination concerns on the very same day as your assessment. In cases where physiotherapy aligns with the categories of assistance, you'll likely leave the clinic with remarkable improvement or even complete resolution after your initial treatment session.

In instances where physiotherapy isn't projected to be effective, rest assured that a referral to the most suitable healthcare expert for a swift resolution will be offered.

Positive Prognosis for TMJ Treatment

Conservative treatment typically yields positive outcomes for the majority of patients, with the potential for symptoms to ameliorate even without intervention (Michelotti A, 2010).

A study by Field in 2012 underscored the efficacy of conservative TMJ physiotherapy, with 75% of the TMD group experiencing resolution within three months—a trend consistent with our clinical results. For most patients, improvement is evident within mere weeks of commencing TMJ treatment. This stands in stark contrast to the slower resolution observed in a non-physiotherapy treatment group studied by Rammelsberg in 2003, where spontaneous resolution was noted in only 33% of TMD sufferers over a five-year span.

Addressing Locked Jaw Concerns

Whether temporary or permanent, a locked jaw is a distressing condition. Thankfully, your TMJ physiotherapist can often alleviate this through gentle manipulation. In cases where manipulation proves ineffective, consultation with an Oral Surgeon may be necessary, potentially leading to manipulation under anesthesia or a surgical procedure known as arthrocentesis (joint washout). Open surgery, reserved for chronic cases, is a rare occurrence, mainly aimed at identifying and removing physical obstructions in permanently locked jaws.

TMJ Physiotherapy Treatment and Targeted Exercises

Tailored TMJ exercises and treatments encompass:

  • Enhancing posture and neck care.
  • Incorporating relaxation exercises.
  • Facilitating muscle lengthening and jaw muscle massages.
  • Administering TMJ joint mobilisation.
  • Correcting TMJ movement patterns and timings.
  • Employing various exercise levels, from passive to active-assisted to fully active.
  • Engaging in TMJ stabilisation exercises.
  • Exploring options like dry needling and acupuncture.

To optimise benefits, adhering to specific TMJ exercises, prescribed following a comprehensive TMJ assessment by your physiotherapist, is advised.

Steering Clear of TMJ Dysfunction Triggers

Until you consult your TMJ physiotherapist, it's prudent to avoid the following triggers:

  • Uncontrolled wide-opening actions, such as yawning.
  • Biting into hard foods, e.g., carrots or apples.
  • Consuming challenging items like burgers or hard rolls.
  • Engaging in gum-chewing.
  • Succumbing to nail-biting tendencies.
  • Leaning on the jaw.
  • Mitigating stress.
  • Refraining from clenching pens, pencils, e-cigarettes, or cigars.

In Closing

Each instance of TMJ dysfunction presents unique facets. Consulting a Craniofacial specialist, dentist or TMJ physiotherapist for their professional evaluation is recommended.

TMJ & Jaw Pain FAQs

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