The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull. Damage or injury to it causes TMJ dysfunction: pain and stiffness in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. The joint is a complex structure of bones, tendons, and muscles, and dysfunction can make it difficult to open your mouth, talk, yawn, and chew. If you have jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or hear clicking when opening and closing your mouth, book an appointment.
Finding Relief For Your TMJ Dysfunction With Physical Therapy
The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull. If there is an injury to this joint or it becomes damaged in any way, TMJ dysfunction may develop. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, also known as TMJ dysfunction, is a condition that causes pain and stiffness of the jaw joint and its surrounding muscles.
The temporomandibular joint is a complex and important structure composed of bones, tendons, and muscles that may cause you to feel pain on one or both sides of the jaw. This can make it very difficult to open your mouth, talk, yawn, and chew.
If you are having difficulty chewing or yawning, have jaw pain, or hear a clicking noise when you open and shut your mouth, you could have TMJ dysfunction. Request an appointment with ImPackt Physical Therapy to find relief for your TMJ dysfunction with physical therapy.
How can I tell if I have TMJ Dysfunction?
There is no single method or surefire way of diagnosing TMJ dysfunction. If you believe you may be suffering from this condition, a medical professional will analyze your medical history and perform a physical exam. Your physician may also send you to an otolaryngologist or a dentist specializing in jaw disorders.
The idea is to rule out other medical problems before diagnosing the patient with TMJ dysfunction, as the symptoms may also be due to a condition known as trigeminal neuralgia, salivary gland disease, or even swollen lymph nodes. Once your diagnosis has been determined, you will be treated based on the nature of your symptoms.
Symptoms of this TMJ dysfunction include pain in the jaw, jaw popping, headaches, sore jaw muscles, locking of the jaw, pain in the temple, and earaches.
There are many reasons why TMJ dysfunction may develop, but some common causes include misalignment of the teeth, gum chewing, arthritis, teeth grinding, or a jaw injury.