TMJ and Physical Therapy
30/12/10 08:21
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are among some of the most frequently used joints in the body, allowing us to talk, chew, yawn, swallow and sneeze. To find your TMJ, place your fingers in front of each ear and open your mouth, you will feel an indentation beneath your finger.
Symptoms:
1. Clicking or popping with opening or closing
2. Pain at rest or with opening/closing of jaw
3. Decreased ability to open the jaw (hypo mobility)
4. Neck pain
5. Tooth sensitivity
6. Dry or burning sensation in mouth
7. Uncomfortable bite
8. Forehead or temple headache
9. Buzzing or ringing in ears
10. Hearing loss
Possible Causes:
1. Trauma to the joint–blow to the jaw or head
2. Excessive stress to the joint from gum chewing, fingernail biting, yawning, chewing on a pen, chewing on ice, and grinding teeth
3. Jaw abnormalities, missing teeth, poor bite (malocclusion)
4. Resting the head in the hand
5. Arthritis of the TMJ
6. Dislocation of the disc
7. Myofascial pain dysfunction
8. Postural abnormalities, especially with a forward head posture
9. Whiplash injury
10. Prolonged mouth and upper respiratory breathing
11. Thumb sucking
12. Ligamentous laxity
13. Birth/Congenital trauma
Exercises You Can do:
1. Chin Tucks-Leading with your chin, try to press your head back. Do 3 sets of 15, twice a day. Try to do this exercise in front of a mirror.
2. Scapular Retractions- Use a theraband or other kind of elastic rubber band for this exercise. Tie the band around a stable object, such as a hinge on a door, the band should be level with your chest height. Holding both two ends of the band in the hands, pull your arms away from the door. Keep the elbow flexed at 90 degrees. Bring the arms back towards the door, slowly controlling the resistance given by the band. DO 3 sets of 15, once a day.
3. Massage the area- Try to gently massage over and around the area of discomfort. This will help to relieve any muscle spasm you may experience. This can be done with your mouth open and closed. Try to massage the area for about 10- 15 minutes.
If you still are experiencing pain after 2-3 weeks, you should see a physical therapist. They will be able to correctly diagnose and treat your pain and give you the plan of care you need to recover.
Original article: http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/tmj
Symptoms:
1. Clicking or popping with opening or closing
2. Pain at rest or with opening/closing of jaw
3. Decreased ability to open the jaw (hypo mobility)
4. Neck pain
5. Tooth sensitivity
6. Dry or burning sensation in mouth
7. Uncomfortable bite
8. Forehead or temple headache
9. Buzzing or ringing in ears
10. Hearing loss
Possible Causes:
1. Trauma to the joint–blow to the jaw or head
2. Excessive stress to the joint from gum chewing, fingernail biting, yawning, chewing on a pen, chewing on ice, and grinding teeth
3. Jaw abnormalities, missing teeth, poor bite (malocclusion)
4. Resting the head in the hand
5. Arthritis of the TMJ
6. Dislocation of the disc
7. Myofascial pain dysfunction
8. Postural abnormalities, especially with a forward head posture
9. Whiplash injury
10. Prolonged mouth and upper respiratory breathing
11. Thumb sucking
12. Ligamentous laxity
13. Birth/Congenital trauma
Exercises You Can do:
1. Chin Tucks-Leading with your chin, try to press your head back. Do 3 sets of 15, twice a day. Try to do this exercise in front of a mirror.
2. Scapular Retractions- Use a theraband or other kind of elastic rubber band for this exercise. Tie the band around a stable object, such as a hinge on a door, the band should be level with your chest height. Holding both two ends of the band in the hands, pull your arms away from the door. Keep the elbow flexed at 90 degrees. Bring the arms back towards the door, slowly controlling the resistance given by the band. DO 3 sets of 15, once a day.
3. Massage the area- Try to gently massage over and around the area of discomfort. This will help to relieve any muscle spasm you may experience. This can be done with your mouth open and closed. Try to massage the area for about 10- 15 minutes.
If you still are experiencing pain after 2-3 weeks, you should see a physical therapist. They will be able to correctly diagnose and treat your pain and give you the plan of care you need to recover.
Original article: http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/tmj
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