If you or a loved one suffer from TMJ disorders, then this article will benefit you. We will help you understand what this disorder is and how physical therapy can help with TMJ treatment.
At P3 Physical Therapy, located in El Paso, TX, we specialize in addressing chronic pain, including TMJ treatment and post-surgical rehabilitation. If you’re interested in seeing how physical therapy can improve your pain and overall health, give us a call! Contact us at (915) 444-5200 or online to schedule an appointment.
Signs You Have TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD or TMJ), is a painful and debilitating condition that targets your jawbone and skull area. Your TMJ allows you to yawn, chew, and speak smoothly. Because of how consistently this joint is being used when TMD arises, it can become extremely painful and inconvenient.
There are a plethora of possible causes for TMJ disorder, including a recent dental procedure, an infection, teeth grinding, or even lifestyle factors like bad posture or stress. However, just because you’ve encountered one of these causes does not mean you have TMJ. Here are some symptoms that may occur, signaling that you should consider TMJ treatment in El Paso.
- Clicking/Grating when opening or closing your mouth
- Jaw stiffness or pain
- A chew or bite that feels ‘off’
- Shoulder and neck pain
- Pressure, pain, and ringing in your ears
- Painful headaches
- Jaw locking or limited movement
- Facial pain
- Muscle tension on or around the jaw area
Physical Therapy and Helpful Exercises
Physical therapy and daily exercise can be very beneficial for TMJ treatment. Physical therapists have the knowledge to properly assess musculoskeletal conditions that may contribute to TMJ issues. We understand that exercising while in pain is the last thing you want to do, but we can assure you that it will help. A few exercise and physical therapy techniques that can help during TMJ treatment are listed below.
- Dry Needling- This helps by relieving muscle tension by taking care of the pain trigger points.
- Therapeutic Exercise- These are exercises that target improper posture, relaxation, and functional movement to help with long-term relief.
- Manual Therapy- This is a hands-on therapy technique. This TMJ treatment helps alleviate muscle tension, restore function, and improve mobility in your joints.
- Self-Management- Our physical therapist will provide you with education and at-home techniques to further work through your TMJ treatment. Some exercises you can work on yourself are:
At our El Paso-based clinic, we offer personalized treatment plans for every individual patient. We tailor each technique based on the patient’s personal needs and goals. Most TMJ treatments include enhancing jaw mobility, addressing muscular imbalances, and reducing inflammation.
TMJ Treatment in El Paso
At P3 Physical Therapy, located in El Paso, TX, we offer result-driven TMJ treatments personalized for each patient. We pride ourselves on giving one-on-one sessions to reassure our patients that we care. If you’re interested in working with our team, call (915) 444-5200 today.
