TMJ Jaw Problems and Physical Therapy Solutions

Around one out of every nine U.S. citizens suffer from temporomandibular joint disorders. This medical problem can produce pain when you chew food or yawn. It often creates bothersome clicking noises. Many individuals find that it also results in jaw stiffness.

• Chewing is painful
• Yawning may also hurt
• Jaw pops or clicks

Americans frequently visit doctoms for many years.

Why it Happens

You can solve this problem more easily if you understand why TMJ disorders occur. The human head contains two temporomandibular joints. They connect the skull to both sides of the jaw. A narrow disc separates these two bones. It shifts every time you open your mouth.

This disc occasionally becomes stuck in place and forces a person’s mouth to see a physician before you can resume eating normally.

It’s more probable that this disc will gradually loosen. Consequently, it moves around excessively as you yawn, eat or chew gum. This causes the joint to click loudly and repeatedly. Both crunchy and thick, chewy foods can exacerbate this embarrassing condition.

Discomfort frequently originates in the mouth’s muscles. If you use them excessively or the temporomandibular joint becomes misaligned, pain can result. Stress often contributes to muscle strains in this area. The discomfort may also increase if you eat multiple crunchy foods during the same week.

• Muscles or joints can cause pain
• Stress and diet affect its severity
• TMJ problems may lead to arthritis

Like all joints, the TMJ can suffer from arthritis. This type of inflammation might materialize as the result of an injury. Arthritis could also develop after this joint moves in an irregular way for multiple years. It produces substantial discomfort and frequent clicking noises.

A Better Solution

People often fail toms.

• Low-risk, not invasive
• Combines multiple strategies
• Effective and affordable

Physical therapists custo suit each person’s specific TMJ problems. Electrical or ultrasonic stimulation frequently reduces muscle tension and discomfort. These professionals also minimize pain by massaging certain parts of the jaw.

Minor variations in the thickness or consistency of foods can make a big difference for people with TMJ disorders. A physical therapist might provide personalized advice on short-term diet adjustments. If you reduce muscle and joint stress as much as possible, the symptoms may subside.

Basically, physical therapy both relieves pain and addresses the root causes of a TMJ disorder. It allows patients to banish jaw discomfort or obnoxious clicking sounds.