Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) is one of the most common reasons for facial/jaw pain and clicking. It can occur for a variety of reasons including trauma, weakness/tightness in the jaw and facial muscles, stress, and most commonly, poor posture. The jaw may be painful to open or close, can make chewing difficult, and can cause tooth pain.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Jaw and facial pain
- Swelling and tenderness around the jaw
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Popping/clicking sounds when opening/closing the mouth
How Will Physical and/or Occupational Therapy Help?
During a Physical/Occupational Therapy session, you will:
- Perform gentle stretching of the jaw and surrounding muscles (if applicable)
- Go through manual therapy techniques with your therapist to increase jaw movement and relieve pain.
- Perform “low-load” exercises that don’t apply a lot of pressure on your TMJ but help you strengthen the muscles of the jaw and restore a natural, pain-free motion.
- Conduct ergonomic discussions.
- Perform exercises for neck and postural strengthening.
