TMJ Dysfunction - Services

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TMJ Dysfunction

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Are You Living With Jaw Dysfunction and Pain?

TMJ Can Limit Your Life, But You Don’t Have To Let It.

Do you have a hard time chewing or yawning? Do you feel pain in your jaw? When you open or close your mouth, do you hear a click? If so, you may have a TMJ, or “temporomandibular joint dysfunction.”

The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. TMJ is a disorder that induces pain and stiffness in the jaw joint and its associated muscles. TMJ dysfunction may occur if the joint is injured in some way.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex structure consisting of bones, tendons, and muscles that can cause pain on one or both sides of your jaw. This can make opening your mouth, talking, yawning, and chewing difficult.

If you’re tired of coping with the discomfort of TMJ, physical therapy will help. Request an appointment with one of our Germantown, MD physical therapists by clicking here.

Physical therapy can help with TMJ pain and discomfort

Home remedies can be used to treat TMJ dysfunction in some cases. Some people respond well to medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. Ice packs applied directly to the jaw joint can also help relieve pain. Essential oils with sedative properties, such as clary sage or lavender, can also provide temporary relief.

When home remedies fail to provide long-term relief, medical intervention may be required. Stronger muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed in many cases.

Dental splints can also be used by the jaw specialist to ensure proper tooth alignment and prevent dental grinding. Other medical treatments include trigger-point acupuncture, joint replacement, and TMJ arthroscopy.

If you choose to avoid pain relievers and use a more natural approach, physical therapy is possibly one of the most effective treatments for TMJ disorder.

At your first appointment with OMT Specialists, a thorough examination of your neck, shoulders, and thoracic spine will be performed to determine whether those structures are causing your symptoms.

Then, depending on the complexity of your symptoms and your unique needs, one of our dedicated physical therapists will build a care plan for you.

Our physical therapist will examine the jaw mobility and relieve muscle tension in the neck and head regions. Our Germantown, MD, VA physical therapy therapies aim to regain your normal function and the interaction of your jaw muscles and joints.

Your recovery plan may include a variety of procedures and modalities, such as jaw exercises, soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, myofascial techniques, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound.

Causes and symptoms of TMJ disorder

There are several reasons why TMJ dysfunction may develop, but misalignment of the teeth, gum chewing, arthritis, teeth grinding, or jaw injury are the most common causes.

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms? If so, contacting a physical therapist at OMT Specialists is a good idea for pain relief.

Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

Jaw pain

Pain when eating or chewing

Jaw popping

Headaches

Sore jaw muscles

Lockjaw

Pain in the temples

Earaches

There is no exact way to diagnose TMJ dysfunction, but our Germantown, MD physical therapists will examine your medical history and conduct tests if you think you might be dealing with this disorder.

You may also be referred to an otolaryngologist or dentist specializing in jaw disorders by your doctor.

Before diagnosing TMJ, any other medical conditions should be ruled out, as symptoms may also be related to conditions known as trigeminal neuralgia, salivary gland disease, or even swollen lymph nodes.

You will be treated based on the severity of your symptoms until your condition has been determined.