Physical Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Irregularity (TMJ)
- The purpose of this basic therapy is to “train” your lower jaw to function freely and without pain.
- Many situations cause the malfunction of your lower jaw.
- Examples are: accidents, surgery, developmental defects, peculiar oral habits, numerous fillings placed over many years, orthodontics, stress, bruxism (clenching or grinding of teeth), and other conditions.
- The following regimen will usually relax the jaw muscles considerably if you are consistent in carrying them out. Approximately 80% of patients with muscular jaw problems feel better when doing this therapy:
- Heat. Apply heating pad, hot washcloth, hot water bottle, or other heat source to the affected areas for five (5) minutes before beginning exercise.
- Exercises. Carry out the following exercises for one (1) minute each (total of 5 minutes):
- Open-Close. Place fist under front of jaw to resist opening movement. Do not cause pain. Be gentle. Open and close jaw 30 times in one (1) minute.
- Forward. Move jaw forward and back with fist on front of chin.
- Right. Move jaw to right with fist on right front of chin to resist movement.
- Left. Move jaw to left with fist on left of front of chin to resist movement.
- Neck Turn. Sit up very straight. Rotate head as far right as possible and gently force turn once every two (2) seconds for 30 seconds. Turn head to left and repeat.
- More Heat — Apply heat for another five (5) minutes.
Further Clinical treatment may be needed to assist in your treatment.
- This may include a plastic bite splint to assist in making you bite in the correct position (an “occlusal splint”), or slight, careful trimming of teeth and fillings to make your teeth and jaws come together correctly (“occlusal equilibration”).
- Please Contact Us if you have any questions or concerns either now, or at any time during your therapy.