TMJ pain is common. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sits just in front of your ears on both sides of your face. This joint connects your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull and allows you to chew, speak, and yawn with ease.
Because the TMJ works closely with surrounding muscles and ligaments, dysfunction in this area can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including:
Jaw pain
Clicking or popping
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Ear pain or ringing in the ears
Dizziness
Headaches
Muscle tension
Certain habits and injuries can increase your risk of TMJ symptoms. These include clenching or grinding your teeth, mouth breathing, nail or pen biting, whiplash, or trauma to the head or neck.
The good news is that physical therapy is often a first-line treatment for TMJ disorders.
Physical therapists are movement experts trained to evaluate the jaw and the structures that influence it. Treatment doesn’t stop at the jaw itself. Important contributing areas include the neck and upper back, breathing patterns, tongue position, posture, and overall upper body and core strength.
Care may include hands-on manual therapy to release tight muscles and joints, dry needling when appropriate, posture and movement education, lifestyle modifications, and personalized stretching and strengthening programs.
If you’re looking for a whole-body approach to addressing TMJ pain, physical therapy can help. Contact us at Brookfield or Mequon to learn how we support lasting relief and better movement.
