TMJ Physiotherapy aims to enhance a patient’s mobility, function, and overall well-being. Physical recovery, injury prevention, and wellness are all benefits of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists engage you in your own healing. A physiotherapist helps patients create specialised programmes to restore their functional capacity and movement as much as possible. From infancy to old age, they are prepared to assist patients at all phases of life.
Types of TMJ
Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders may arise from issues with the muscles of the jaw or the joint itself; however, the aetiology of these conditions is not always clear. There are several potential reasons for TMJ problems.
TMDs are classified into three types by healthcare providers:
- Problems with your jaw joints
- Problems with your chewing muscles
- Headaches brought on by TMD
What Are the Common Symptoms of TMJ?
The joint that joins the jaw to the skull is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). They are the joints that move and rotate in front of each ear and are made up of the mandible and the temporal bone. These joints provide the motions required for speaking, eating, and expressing one’s facial features.
Symptoms of TMJ can vary significantly and include:
- Jaw Pain
- Facial Pain
- Neck Pain
- Toothache
- Migraine
- Head
How Does TMJ Physiotherapy Do the Treatment?
Patients experiencing jaw discomfort or clicking are occasionally referred to an oral surgeon by a dentist or physician. After a lengthy wait to see this specialist, many patients discover they are ineligible for surgery. Waiting to address problems with the TMJ can be counterproductive, causing symptoms to increase and the problem to deteriorate. TMJ discomfort and dysfunction can be effectively treated with TMJ physiotherapy. Clinical research has shown that hand physical therapy therapies and home exercise programmes may dramatically enhance pain and jaw function.
How Is TMJ Diagnosed?
TMJ can be identified in several different ways. The first step is to examine your medical background and symptoms. Your physiotherapist will ask when the pain began, what caused it to worsen, and if you have any other symptoms.
A physical examination is the second method for diagnosing TMJ. Your physiotherapist will inspect your jaw for signs of inflammation or soreness. They may also request that you perform various exercises to determine how well your joints move.
Finally, imaging tests such as a dental X-ray with an MRI can be used to diagnose TMJ. This allows your physio Perth to examine the bones of your jaw for evidence of injury or inflammation.
What Causes TMJ?
Your jaw can be damaged in an assortment of ways, resulting in uncomfortable movement or misalignment, including:
Trauma
Some persons incur joint trauma, resulting in hypermobility or scarring, which can contribute to stiffness within one of their TMJ joints. The ensuing uneven mobility causes the joint structures to wear down faster.
Grinding
Your dentist may have told you that you have a ‘grinder,’ and he or she may have advised that you wear a night guard to protect your teeth from wear. All of that jaw grinding and clenching while you sleep has an impact on your TMJ joints. It can cause joint or disc damage, as well as muscular spasms.
Posture
Many people are unaware that a lot of the muscles that control their jaw also connect to the muscles in their upper neck. A “forwards head posture” is a typical source of jaw problems.
Eating
People can hurt their TMJ joints by eating. Biting big or hard items, especially if they are exclusively on the opposite side of the mouth, can cause a TMJ injury.
TMJ Physiotherapy Treatment: The Advantages
The following are some advantages of TMJ physiotherapy treatment:
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Reduced Pain
It is one of the primary advantages of physical therapy. The therapist will collaborate with you to pinpoint the cause of your discomfort before creating a treatment strategy that is personalised for you. This may involve treatments to correct posture and alignment as well as stretching and strengthening exercises for the muscles surrounding the jaw joint.
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Improved Joint Flexibility
TMJ physiotherapy can increase joint mobility for patients with TMJ. Pain and suffering may be lessened when the joints are more flexible. Additionally, improved function and quality of life might be aided by enhanced joint mobility.
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Improved Performance
TMJ can make it difficult to open and close the mouth, which makes it challenging to talk and eat. These activities will be easier to complete if you receive TMJ physiotherapy to aid with function.
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Lessened Inflammatory
The most typical TMJ symptom is inflammation. To help decrease inflammation, your physical therapist could employ modalities like heat or ice. These methods frequently provide comfort for TMJ patients.
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Heightened Awareness
Your understanding of how you use your jaw can also be improved by physical treatment. Your TMJ physiotherapist may demonstrate the correct way to use your jaw and the motions you should avoid since physiotherapy is a direct kind of treatment. This might assist you in avoiding activities that can worsen your symptoms.
How to Find a Reliable TMJ Physiotherapist?
There are a few considerations when trying to find a physiotherapist to treat TMJ. Finding a professional with experience in treating this illness is crucial. Additionally, they have to be able to adjust their therapy strategy to meet your demands.
It might be beneficial to seek out referrals. You can get recommendations from friends or family who have had positive experiences with their TMJ physiotherapists. Additionally, you may look for local TMJ physiotherapists online. Before choosing something, make sure to check the reviews.
Physical therapy is a crucial component of the therapeutic regimen for those with TMJ issues. The purpose of physical therapy is to assist you in regaining full jaw motion and to lessen or completely get rid of any discomfort that you might be feeling. A licenced physical therapist will collaborate with you to develop a customised treatment plan that addresses your unique needs. Ask your doctor if physiotherapy may be used as a component of your treatment strategy if you have a TMJ condition.
Conclusion
Everybody is affected by TMJ disorder differently. It may cause momentary discomfort or persistent pain in the jaw that lasts for a period of time. Although the ailment might be challenging to identify, there are therapies available. Speak with your healthcare physician if you experience jaw discomfort, headaches, or other signs that prevent you from living life to the fullest. They can identify the root cause and suggest the best course of action.
