The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a part of your body you probably don’t think of very often. Chances are, you probably have never even heard of it until you’ve had jaw pain and sought treatment.
TMJ pain affects the joints in your jaw that connect the jaw to the skull. These tiny joints are right in front of your ears. They are what allow you to talk, chew food, smile and do anything else that requires you to move your jaw. When one or more of the TMJs are in pain, it can be difficult for you to move your mouth for any of these functions.
Treating TMJ pain with physical therapy
Treatment for TMJ pain varies depending on its cause and severity. In some cases, people treat TMJ pain with medication. However, this isn’t very effective for long-lasting TMJ pain. In these cases, you’ll want to see a physical therapist for treatment.
Physical therapists are health care professionals who specialize in treating conditions that affect your joints, muscles, soft tissue and cartilage. At Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in Warrenton, Missouri, our team is experienced in treating conditions that cause TMJ pain.
Physical therapy treatments for TMJ pain vary depending on the cause of your pain and other factors like medical history. Generally, you can expect your treatment to include:
- Therapeutic exercise — Exercises that strengthen and stretch the muscles and soft tissue in your jaw help reduce pain and improve your range of motion. Stronger and more flexible muscles provide better support for the jaw when the joint is affected by conditions like arthritis.
- Posture guidance — Poor posture puts strain on your neck muscles that can stem into your face and affect your jaw. Frequently clenching your jaw also causes TMJ pain. Physical therapists can help correct your posture to reduce TMJ pain and prevent future pain.
- Manual therapy — Manual therapy techniques like soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization can reduce pain in the jaw and improve the joint’s range of motion.
- Electrical stimulation — Physical therapists use electrical stimulation to deliver small bursts of electricity that cause the muscles in the TMJ to contract and release. This helps reduce muscle tension and soothes pain.
Visit Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in Warrenton, MO, for TMJ pain treatment
Do you have pain in your jaw that makes it difficult to open or close your mouth? Our physical therapists at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in Warrenton are ready to help you. Contact our team today for more information about TMJ pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.
