Only low back pain leads TMD in this category.
Sun Physical Therapy specializes in TMD treatment. We work together with dentists and healthcare providers in helping patients reduce pain and improve function.
FAQs
The signs of dysfunction include:
- Pain (including jaw pain)
- Headache (including pain behind the eyes, in the temples, at the forehead, and at the base of the skull)
- Earache and/or ear symptoms such as ringing and buzzing
- Localized soreness or muscle spasm
- Limited motion
- Changes in occlusion or malocclusion, defined as alterations in the way the teeth make contact when the jaw is closed
- Intermittent locking of the jaw, difficulty opening the jaw
- Bruxism, clenching
- Feeling poorly rested
- Clicking and/or popping
- Sensitive teeth
- Joint sounds
Causes of TMD include:
- Trauma
- Joint hypermobility
- Stress/parafunctional activity such as clenching or grinding
- Issues regarding occlusion (alignment and contact of the upper and lower teeth.)
- Posture and alignment factors
Physical therapy treatment of TMD can take place at any time – from early onset of pain to the point when the condition is considered chronic.
Dentists and patients should consider seeing a physical therapist for conservative treatment of TMD in such instances as:
- When other conservative options, such as rest or NSAIDs, have not reduced pain
- When there is simultaneous neck pain
- When postural alignment is suspected to be contributing factor
- When the practitioner determines PT will be an appropriate adjunct to dental or medical care
Research has found that conservative treatment can be effective in as many as 50% of TMD cases.
Manual therapy techniques include superficial and deep massage, assisted stretching, joint mobilization and manipulation, and trigger point dry needling.
The following is a list of strategies, recommended by The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, for addressing TMD symptoms while awaiting professional care:
- Use ice pack for pain and muscle spasm. Apply a small ice pack to the temple area and side of the face for 10 minutes, 3 to 4 times per day.
- Follow a soft diet, avoiding crunchy, thick or chewy foods like apples, hard breads, and steak.
- Avoid chewing gum.
- Cut food into smaller pieces to make it easier to chew.
- Follow the rules of “lips together, teeth apart,” ensuring a relaxed position of the jaw.
- Sleep on your back when possible. Consider using a rolled towel under your neck to support your cervical spine.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
- Avoid sitting with your chin resting on your hand.
- Protect your yawns by placing your fist under your lower jaw to prevent an extra wide opening.
- When talking on the telephone, do not support the receiver with your shoulder.
- Practice good posture.
- Keep your head up, chin out, shoulders squared and back straight.
- Support your lower back when sitting.
