What is TMJ?
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the joints on either side of your head connecting your lower jaw to your temples. The joints act like hinges with some flexibility, allowing you to open and close your mouth and move your lower jaw from side to side.
There is a piece of cartilage called a disc within each joint that helps it glide smoothly and painlessly with normal functioning.
What is TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder is a complication that can arise with your temporomandibular joints. There are many possible causes, including physical injuries, infections, chronic conditions like arthritis, and long-term teeth grinding.
TMJ disorder comes with a wide range of symptoms and complications that can make simple day-to-day tasks, like speaking and chewing, extremely difficult. Your TMJ disorder symptoms might include:
- Pain in your jaw
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Trouble biting and chewing
- Jaw locking open or closed
- Grating or grinding sensations with movement
In many cases, symptoms like these go away with home care and time. If the pain persists or if you can’t move your jaw, you should seek treatment at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
The team treats the condition nonsurgically and may evaluate the joints with an X-ray to plan a more effective treatment.
How is TMJ disorder treated?
Your TMJ disorder care plan may include multiple steps of treatment. The team at 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation uses conservative treatment measures to avoid relying on medications or resorting to jaw surgery. Your TMJ disorder treatment plan might include:
Physical therapy
During physical therapy, the team teaches you specific movements to strengthen the muscles in your jaw and restore its flexibility.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic adjustments help restore alignment throughout your body, including your head and jaw. It can also help ease the muscle tension leading to prolonged jaw pain.
Trigger point injections
Trigger point injections are injections of corticosteroids, local anesthesia, and other medications to treat musculoskeletal pain.
Home care and lifestyle changes
There are many steps you can take at home to ease your TMJ disorder symptoms. The team might recommend avoiding crunchy or hard foods as you undergo treatment and avoiding chewing gum. You can also get a custom mouth guard to wear at night from your dentist if teeth grinding is a factor in your TMJ disorder.
For more information about TMJ disorder and available treatments and therapies, call 43rd St. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation or book an appointment online today.
