Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Pain in your jaw or temples (headaches).
Trouble opening your mouth wide.
Your jaw sometimes clicks, pops, or locks.
You can’t bring my back teeth together.
When you open your mouth, your jaw shifts to one side.
What is it?
Temporamandibular Joint Disorder, frequently referred to as “TMJ” simply refers to a musculoskeletal issue of the jaw joint. It’s kind of like saying “knee dysfunction” or “shoulder dysfunction”. TMJ issues can present in different ways including pain in it or around it, headaches, limited range of motion and clicking with jaw motions. These symptoms largely come from -
The muscles that control the jaw
The tissue that makes up the joint including the bony surfaces, cartilage and joint fluid
A “disc” which helps facilitate the motion of the jaw
What Causes It?
Most TMJ issues can be attributable to overloading of some sort. The load can come in different forms: it can be from a distinct event like whiplash or biting into something unexpected; or it can low grade strain over a long period of time like constant clenching. Either way, the tissue (muscle, cartilage, disc) has experienced a load greater than it can tolerate. Research also strongly stress as well as neck issues can increase our susceptibility to TMJ issues. In my practice, it’s very common to hear TMJ issues occurring during or after a stressful life event it.
What Can Be Done About It?
When it comes to tissue strain, the solution often comes down to reducing that strain and, to some extent, promoting healing. This can be done in a variety of ways be different providers - mouth guards are intended to help the jaw rest in a more aligned position and decrease tissue load; neurotoxin injections (e.g. Botox) and dry needling can decrease muscle tension; acupuncture; NSAIDs can help break a cycle of inflammation. Physical Therapy similarly aims to help decrease muscle tension and joint compression with a combination of different techniques including manual hands-on treatment, muscular re-education and changing our habits.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) also recommends behavioral therapies such as CBT, biofeedback and meditation given the close relationship between TMJ and stress.
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We start by looking closely at how your jaw moves. This helps us identify areas of stiffness or excessive tension that may be contributing to pain or clicking. Hands-on work is used to release tension and restore comfortable movement, followed by specific jaw exercises designed to reinforce those changes and help them carry over into daily life.
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The neck and jaw work closely together. Limited neck movement or sustained positions can increase strain on the jaw and contribute to pain, headaches, or facial tension. Treatment focuses on improving neck mobility and building support so your jaw isn’t doing extra work it wasn’t designed to handle.
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The shoulders and upper back provide the foundation for the neck and jaw. When this area is tense or lacks support, strain often travels upward.
Care focuses on easing unnecessary tension and improving endurance so your neck and jaw don’t have to compensate..
TMJ Physical Therapy at Bridgeway
Jaw pain is complex. Your care doesn’t have to be.
4 Session Package
While all care is individualized, many people with jaw pain benefit from addressing a few key areas early on. This four-session package is designed to systematically evaluate and treat the jaw, neck, and shoulder girdle, while building strategies you can carry forward on your own.
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