Restore Mobility of Oral Joints or TMJ Dysfunction in Edmonton With Physiotherapy by Millwoods Physical Therapy Centre
Are you experiencing sore jaw, headaches, earaches and facial pain? Then you must be suffering from TMJ dysfunction, and it is high time that you consult with certified physiotherapists at Millwoods Physical Therapy Centre.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
Temporomandibular Joint disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles and ligaments. It can result from trauma, an improper bite, arthritis or wear & tear. The temporomandibular joints are located on both sides of your face. These joints connect the lower jaw bone to the skull and helps in movements such as chewing and speaking.
This condition is caused when the muscles and ligaments around the jaw joints become inflamed or irritated. The condition may be acute or chronic, and the pain can range from mild to severe.
Major causes of TMJ Dysfunction
- Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching)
- Dislocation of the disc located between the ball and socket joint
- Arthritis in the TMJ
- Stress
- Acute trauma
- Improper bite
Some common symptoms of TMJ Disorders are
- Jaw Pain
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Pain in the neck or shoulder
- Trouble moving the joint
- Trouble chewing
- Tooth pain
- Swelling on the face
How can we help you combat TMJ Dysfunctionality
A registered physiotherapist can help your condition by teaching you relaxation, stretching and strengthening exercises for the face, heads and neck muscles. These exercises further help to augment the effect of mouth guard your dentist might have recommended.
The physiotherapy for TMJ Dysfunction includes a plethora of procedures and modalities like jaw exercise, soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, myofascial techniques, electrical stimulation and ultrasound.
TMJ dysfunction treatment in Edmonton
Manual hand-on-therapy targeting the jaws show significant improvements, in term of reduction of cervicogenic headaches and neck pain.
Physiotherapist can also recommend consultation with dentists (myofascial techniques), particularly splinting. Splinting can help keep your jaws aligned in position which would again help in reduction of pain and inflammation.
The physical therapy for TMJ can also involve certain therapeutic modalities such heat or ice therapy, electric stimulation and ultrasound, which can effectively reduce pain and inflammation.
Exercises recommended by physiotherapists at Millwoods Physical Therapy Centre will help strengthen the muscles around the jaw joint and can eventually reduce swelling and pain.
Some of the jaw exercises for treating TMJ Dysfunction are
- Forward jaw movement
- Side-to-side jaw movements
- Chin tucks
- Goldfish exercises (full & partial opening of the mouth)
- Relaxed jaw exercise
The benefits of Physiotherapy in treating TMJ Dysfunction are
- Pain Reduction
- Improved joint mobility
- Improved function
- Reduced Inflammation
- Prevent further damage
- Better quality of life
- Reduce the usage of medicines and invasive surgeries
TMJ dysfunction treatment in Edmonton | TMJ dysfunction treatment in Edmonton