The jaw is a complex structure that’s vital in chewing, speaking and making facial expressions. It’s the only movable bone in the face and is connected to the skull by the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ is a hinge-like joint that allows the jaw to open and close, move side to side, and protrude forward. It’s one of the most used joints in your body, opening and closing between 1,500 and 2,000 times a day. The following muscles play a role in jaw movement and can be involved in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders:
- Temporalis — A large, fan-shaped muscle that covers the side of the head
- Masseter — A powerful muscle located on the side of the jaw
- Medial pterygoid — A deep muscle that helps close the jaw and allows side-to-side movement
- Lateral pterygoid — A deep muscle that helps open the jaw and allows side-to-side movement.
TMJ disorders are relatively common, affecting an estimated 5% of people worldwide, and can affect women twice as often as men. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Pain in the face, neck, ears, temple or jaw
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Limited ability to open or close the mouth fully
- Jaw locking
- Frequent headaches or migraines
The causes of TMJ disorders can range from muscle tension and stress to teeth grinding or an injury to the jaw. These disorders can be frustrating and painful, impacting your ability to do everyday functions like eating, talking or even yawning without discomfort. Looking for relief from the discomfort of TMJ disorders can lead you to physical therapy and effective techniques, including dry needling.
How dry needling works for TMJ disorders
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used by certified practitioners to help treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including TMJ disorders. This technique involves the manual insertion of thin, sterile, single-use needles into specific trigger points or knots in the muscles. Trigger points are hyperirritable spots in muscles that can cause pain and limit muscle function.
Trigger points can become irritated due to stress, overuse or injury. In TMJ disorders, trigger points can develop in the muscles that help control jaw movement, including the masseter, temporalis and pterygoids. These trigger points can send pain signals to other parts of the body, known as referred pain. This referred pain can be felt in the head, neck and ears, which is why TMJ disorders can be associated with headaches and neck pain.
When trigger points form in the jaw muscles, they can cause the characteristic symptoms of TMJ disorder, such as pain, stiffness and limited jaw movement. Your physical therapist may recommend dry needling as a treatment option to help alleviate the pain. Dry needling can help release these trigger points, enabling muscles to relax and improving overall jaw function. By addressing the root cause of the muscle tension, dry needling can help reduce your overall TMJ symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Benefits of dry needling for TMJ disorders
Dry needling can be an effective component of a physical therapy treatment plan for TMJ and provide the following benefits:
- Pain relief — Trigger points in the muscles surrounding the TMJ can cause you to experience significant pain and discomfort. Dry needling can help release the trigger points, which may provide you with immediate relief from pain and improve your overall comfort.
- Jaw function improvement —TMJ disorders can involve limited jaw movement or jaw locking. By addressing muscle tension and trigger points, dry needling can improve your jaw’s range of motion and reduce the discomfort you may experience when chewing or speaking.
- Muscle tension reduction — The muscles involved in jaw movement can become overly tense and tight due to TMJ dysfunction. Dry needling can help these muscles relax, which can reduce tension and improve overall function.
- Myofascial release — Dry needling is a form of myofascial release, a technique that aims to help release tension in the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. By addressing myofascial restrictions, dry needling can boost overall jaw function and provide pain relief.
- Inflammation reduction — Dry needling can help boost blood flow. Improved circulation helps bring oxygen-and-nutrient-rich blood to the affected area, which can reduce inflammation in the muscles and joints and is essential for healing.
- Complementary therapy — Dry needling is often used in conjunction with other physical therapy modalities. This can help your physical therapist create a comprehensive treatment plan to address your TMJ dysfunction and may include:
While dry needling can be a highly effective treatment for TMJ disorders, it’s essential to consult with a qualified health care provider, including physical therapists, to determine if it’s the best approach for you. They can assess your specific needs and develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your TMJ symptoms.
REPAIR SI can help you find relief from TMJ disorder symptoms with comprehensive treatment
At REPAIR SI, we understand that TMJ dysfunction can have a significant impact on your daily life. Our team of expert physical therapists, including certified dry needling practitioners, is committed to providing you with compassionate and personalized care using an integrated physical therapy treatment plan that may include dry needling and other effective techniques. By combining these therapies, we aim to help reduce pain, improve function and restore balance to your jaw. Our goal is to help you achieve relief and improve your overall well-being by addressing your unique needs.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.