TMJ pain relief: 3 options for treatment in physical therapy near you

Do you hear a clicking, popping, or grating sound when you open your jaw and feel pain along with it? If you do, you might have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The TMJ is like a hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. When it becomes damaged, it can cause stiffness, discomfort and pain. 

About 5% to 12% of the adult population experiences a TMJ disorder, making it a fairly common condition. It has many potential causes, including injuries, chronic teeth grinding and arthritis. 

While this condition is painful and makes chewing and speaking difficult, physical therapy may provide much-needed relief. Here are some options your physical therapist may recommend to ease your TMJ pain.

3 options for TMJ pain relief

When you begin physical therapy, your provider can discuss options that are safe and effective to alleviate your TMJ pain. These options may help ease your pain.

1. Dry needling

Dry needling may help ease TMJ pain by reducing muscle tension and inflammation. In turn, reducing muscle tension and inflammation with dry needling may ease TMJ pain. During this treatment, your physical therapist will place thin needles into the jaw muscles, tendons and ligaments to relieve tension. While it won’t relieve TMJ on its own, dry needling can be combined with other treatments to help provide optimal relief.

2. Postural training and therapeutic exercises

Improving posture can reduce strain on the jaw and surrounding muscles caused by forward head posture. As postural training helps relieve this strain, therapeutic exercises help strengthen the jaw and improve range of motion. Together, these treatments can help your jaw and head align properly to alleviate your TMJ pain.

3. Myofascial release and active release therapy

Releasing tension in the jaw and neck can help ease pain and improve mobility. During myofascial release, your physical therapist places their hands on tight or restricted areas and applies steady pressure to loosen connective tissue. Active release therapy also uses manual pressure, combining it with movements that can help ease movement restrictions caused by scar tissue and increase mobility. As a result, these techniques may ease muscle tightness and reduce TMJ pain.

Get help easing TMJ pain at REPAIR SI

TMJ pain can make daily activities like eating and speaking more difficult. If you’re experiencing pain in your jaw and struggling with discomfort, you can find the support you need at REPAIR SI. Our team is ready to help you with a personalized treatment plan designed to alleviate your TMJ pain and make your path to recovery easier.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.