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Jaw disorders (temporomandibular joint)
Jaw Disorders and Physiotherapy
Jaw pain, difficulty opening your mouth, or frequent headaches? Physiotherapy can help identify factors contributing to your symptoms and improve jaw function.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull and plays an essential role in chewing, speaking, and moving the mouth. Like other joints in the body, it can be affected by various conditions that may cause pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility.
TMJ disorders may cause pain in the jaw, face, or around the ear, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, clicking or other joint sounds, as well as headaches or neck pain.
A physiotherapy assessment may be appropriate when these symptoms occur. The jaw may also be assessed in certain cases of neck pain, particularly following a motor vehicle accident.
What does a jaw assessment in physiotherapy involve?
Your physiotherapist will first ask questions about your health, symptoms, how they have changed over time, and what activities or situations make them better or worse.
The physical assessment may include:
- observing your posture and head and neck movements;
- measuring your mouth opening and jaw movements;
- assessing jaw and tongue mobility;
- assessing tension and sensitivity in the muscles surrounding the jaw;
- assessing the mobility and sensitivity of the temporomandibular joint.
This assessment helps your physiotherapist better understand the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and determine the most appropriate approach for your condition.
What treatments are used for jaw disorders?
When physiotherapy is appropriate, treatment may begin during your first appointment. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your condition and may include a combination of manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, muscle retraining, and recommendations to incorporate into your daily routine.
Follow-up appointments, generally 30 minutes long, allow your physiotherapist to adjust your treatment based on your progress. Your physiotherapist may teach you exercises designed to improve jaw mobility and motor control, as well as strategies to reduce tension and promote more comfortable jaw function.
The goal is to reduce your symptoms, improve the mobility and function of your jaw, and help you return to your daily activities more comfortably.
