The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), commonly referred to as the jaw joint, plays a crucial role in the movement of your jaw. When either the jaw muscles or the joint itself experience dysfunction, it can result in various uncomfortable symptoms such as stiffness, headaches, pain, bite problems, clicking sounds, or lockjaw.
TMJ symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury. Most discomfort is caused from overuse of the muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism). This activity tires the jaw muscles and leads to discomfort.
Other common symptoms of TMJ problems include:
- Earache without an infection
- Jaw pain or soreness, often worse in the morning or late afternoon
- Jaw discomfort during chewing, biting, or yawning
- Clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Locked or stiff jaw while talking, yawning, or eating
- Tooth sensitivity in the absence of dental problems
Physiotherapy offers various treatment approaches to address TMJ pain and dysfunction. These may include:
- Acupuncture
- Heat and ice therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Joint mobilization techniques
- Strengthening exercises for the jaw muscles
- Postural correction exercises
- Soft food diet and avoidance of chewing gum
- Mouth appliance to prevent teeth grinding
- Use of anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief
- Electrical stimulation therapy
- Stress management techniques to reduce jaw tension
By utilizing a comprehensive physiotherapy treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, TMJ symptoms can be effectively managed, allowing for improved jaw function and relief from discomfort.
References
1. Wadhokar, O. C., & Patil, D. S. (2022). Current Trends in the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: A Review. Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), 14(9), e29314–e29314. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29314
2. Collins, T. (2020). Temporomandibular joint disorders. InnovAiT, 13(8), 475–483. https://doi.org/10.1177/1755738020925858
3. González-Sánchez, B., García Monterey, P., Ramírez-Durán, M. D. V., Garrido-Ardila, E. M., Rodríguez-Mansilla, J., & Jiménez-Palomares, M. (2023). Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review of Treatment Approaches. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(12), 4156-. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12124156