TMJ Physiotherapy Treatments & Rehabilitation in Mississauga
The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is where the skull and lower jaw meet. It can be detrimental to quality of life because the symptoms can become chronic and difficult to manage. The most important feature is pain, followed by restricted mandibular movement and noises from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during jaw movement. It is mainly an orthopedic condition which is generally treated by physiotherapists who has training and skills in performing it.
Do you have TMJ pain or TMJ dysfunction?
You may or may not experience jaw pain or tenderness with TMJ dysfunction. Symptoms can include:
- Pain in the jaw joints and facial muscle
- Clicking, grinding or locking of the jaw
- Headaches & Dizziness
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth comfortably
- Pain on talking, chewing & yawning
- Jaw getting stuck open or closed.
- Pain in your neck and head.
- Ringing in the ears or the sensation of ears being blocked
- Referred TMJ pain and be felt as headaches or earache.
Causes of Pain or dysfunction:
- Trauma, for example a blow to the jaw either directly to the joint or elsewhere on the jaw.
- Overactivity of the jaw muscles from continuous clenching or grinding the teeth.
- Wear and tear of the cartilage inside in the joint
- Arthritis
- Poor posture
- Increased sensitivity to pain linked to stress.
- Removal of wisdom teeth,
- Prolonged mouth opening
- Myofascial pain
- Whiplash and other less common causes include: trauma
- Derangement/displacement of TMJ articular disc
- Bruxism: nocturnal grinding of teeth leads to increased pressure in TMJ and asymmetrical movement.
Our Physiotherapist will be able to identify if your problem is an opening issue.
TMJ Opening problems include:
- Muscle disorder,
- TMJ (joint) disorder: hypermobility, stiffness or arthritis,
- TMJ disc displacement disorder: intermittent or permanent lock, or a
- Cervical spine posture issue.
TMJ Closing problems include:
- A locked open joint, which can be manipulated open.
What should be avoided if you have TMJ Pain?
- Chewing heavy meats, nuts, raw carrots etc.
- Taking big bites into burgers, apples etc.
- Do not chew gum or bite your nails
- Avoid intentionally clicking your jaw or clenching your teeth
- Limit your speaking if it is an aggravating factor
- Slouching or poor posture at your desk.
How Long does it Take to Recover from Temporomandibular Dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction is usually takes around four to six weeks rehabilitation with proper exercises and following instructions for the things to be avoided.
Our goal is to Relief your pain, minimize the stiffness and Restore normal function and mobility as soon as possible. If you been diagnosed with TMJ pain or dysfunction and or suffering with any of the above symptoms, call us now to book an appointment.