Does your jaw click or get stuck when you open your mouth? Do you regularly have headaches on one side of your head? If so, you may be suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. TMJ syndrome refers to pain in the jaw, which can result from dental issues, stress or medical-related problems.
The syndrome exhibits symptoms such as jaw pain, locking and clicking, limited motion in the jaw, headaches and ringing in the ears. If you're suffering these symptoms, you should see a physiotherapist for help. Below are some of the physio techniques that can help relieve TMJ.
Jaw Exercises
Your physiotherapist may take you through jaw exercises to relieve pain, promote relaxation and increase the jaw's range of motion. If you have undergone any dental surgery in the past, your TMJ syndrome may be a result of the scar tissue from the operation. This is because scars restrict muscle movement around the affected area. Jaw exercises help release scar tissue and tight muscles and improve flexibility.
Heat and Ice Therapy
Severe TMJ can cause unbearable pain and soreness in your jaw. In this case, the physiotherapist may administer ice therapy to bring down the swelling and provide pain relief. Ice therapy is often used together with heat therapy which helps improve blood circulation in your jaw and neck area. Improvement in blood flow helps relax tight jaw muscles and relieve TMJ pain.
Massage and Nerve Stimulation
Massage therapy is crucial to relieving pain and relaxing jaw muscles. During your sessions, the physiotherapist not only focuses on the jaw but also on the neck and shoulder area to relieve tension that may be causing the pain. Massage is also effective in reducing stress, one of the major catalysts of TMJ syndrome.
The physiotherapist may pair massage therapy with nerve stimulation, a technique that involves a mild electrical current to the skin on the jaw. The current relaxes the jaw muscles, relieves pain and improves blood circulation.
Posture and Ergonomics Training
One of the major causes of jaw tension is poor posture. When you get used to sitting on unergonomic seats with no spinal or lumbar support, the strain to your spine causes stress on the neck and shoulders. This tension is transferred to your jaw, and it materialises as TMJ.
During therapy, your physiotherapist will strive to unearth the cause of the TMJ. If posture is the problem, they will provide training on how to adopt a good posture and choose an ergonomic office chair to prevent jaw pain and neck tension.
TMJ syndrome is a complex and multifaceted condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. Visit a physiotherapist for a detailed assessment to ensure treatment is customised to your individual needs.
Share20 January 2020
Hey there. My name is Wade, and I have been a first aid volunteer for the past twenty years. Most weekends you will find me at football games, rodeos, agricultural shows or fun runs. I really love being able to help at these events and provide the necessary level of assistance. As a first responder, my medical role is very limited, but, many injured people do contact me to give thanks after they recover. This has further sparked my interest in health and medicine. I love watching medical shows and reading basic texts to gain a greater understanding of particular medical problems. I'm sure there are others like me who take an amateur interest in health and medical matters. I started this blog to share intriguing information I come across. I hope you find my topics fascinating and instructive. Thank you for dropping by.