What Is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) guides jaw movement. Problems with the TMJ are known as temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD). TMD can be caused by:

• Bad posture habits.
• Chronic jaw clenching at night(“bruxism”).
• Fracture. In a traumatic accident involving the face or head, a fracture to the lower jaw may result, and even when the fracture is fully healed, TMJ stiffness and pain may remain.
• Surgery. Following surgery to the face and jaw, there may be a loss in mobility and function of the TMJ.
• Trismus (“lockjaw”). This condition—where jaw muscles spasm and the jaw cannot be fully opened—can be both a cause and a symptom of TMD.

What Are the Symptoms of TMD?
TMD symptoms include:

• Jaw pain
• Jaw fatigue
• Difficulty opening your mouth to eat or talk
• Ringing in your ears
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Popping sounds in your jaw
• Neck pain
• Locking jaw

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
Your physical therapist can help restore the natural movement of your jaw and decrease your pain. Treatments used by physical therapists for TMD may include:

• Posture education.
• Exercises.
• Manual Techniques (soft tissue and joint mobilization).
• Modalities (electrical stimulation, ultrasound, heat, ice).

Contact us for more information!