Can Physical Therapy Help My Jaw Pain?

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the prevalence of temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMJD) is between 5% and 12%. Unusual for chronic pain conditions, the prevalence rates of TMJ disorders are higher among younger persons. This pain can lead to missed workdays and frequent trips to your primary care provider or dentist. This article will discuss why physical therapy may be what you need to assist in getting rid of that pain and getting back to enjoying life.

A multitude of different reasons can cause jaw pain. Common causes of jaw pain include:

• TMJ disc issues
• Tightness of muscles surrounding the jaw, which assist in chewing
• Clenching/grinding of the teeth at night
• Stress
• Poor posture

During an initial physical therapy evaluation for your jaw, your TMJ specialist will assess the cause of your symptoms and develop a plan to address those issues. Your therapist will first look for any red flag symptoms to see if physical therapy is right for you or if it’s best to connect with your physician. They will look at your jaw range of motion to ensure you can open and close your mouth without any pain symptoms or popping/clicking noises. The therapist may also touch muscles around your face and jaw, and some around your neck to determine which muscles are tight.

Based on the deficits found, your therapist will develop a treatment program in order to address those areas. In addition to the stretching, massage, and strengthening that may be performed during your session, your therapist will likely give you some other tips and tricks, such as breathing techniques for stress relief and relaxation.

Physical therapy has been shown to greatly reduce jaw pain symptoms in patients by combining exercises and manual therapy. Stress-reducing techniques have also been helpful. If you are experiencing jaw pain symptoms, contact your local Athletico to get set up with a TMJ specialist to start getting you on the path to recovery.

Schedule a Free Assessment

*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.

References:
1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/facial-pain/prevalence#:~:text=The%20prevalence%20of%20temporomandibular%20joint,are%20higher%20among%20younger%20persons.