TMD

Have you ever experienced jaw pain? Either during work? When you wake up? When you are eating? When you are at the dentist? You may be suffering from jaw pain, better known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Many people suffer from TMD, but often aren’t aware that physiotherapy can help to treat it.

How does the jaw work?

The jaw is known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a hinge joint. The joint

consists of the mandible (i.e., jaw bone) as it attaches to the skull. In this joint, there are muscles,

ligaments and discs that help to form the joint. The TMJ performs a variety of movements which

move the jaw: side to side, up and down, and forward and backward. The main and most

important function of the TMJ is to chew food. Thus, when the above movements are restricted,

it can severely impact our day-to-day life.

What causes TMD?

While there is no specific cause of TMD, there are a few factors that can contribute to it:

- Stress

- Grinding/clenching teeth (which is known as bruxism)

- Arthritis

- Trauma to the jaw

- Dental issues

How does TMD present?

- Localized tenderness at the jaw joint

- Facial ache/pain

- Referral pain to neck, shoulders, and/or head

- Headaches

- Clicking in jaw when opening/closing mouth

- Pain when speaking/chewing

- Jaw deflects to one side when opening

What does treatment for TMD consist of?

Treating TMD often involves a multidisciplinary team to help provide the most efficient

care. Many individuals see their dentist, who can prescribe a night guard to help with preventing

damage to the teeth; however, this will not stop you from clenching/grinding at night, as it only

helps protect your teeth from damage. Physiotherapy treatment for TMD, often consists of a

variety of things. Most importantly, education is the foundation of treating TMD. This includes a

variety of self-management strategies to help improve one’s awareness of clenching/grinding.

Other treatment techniques can include: massage, manual therapy techniques on the TMJ,

exercises, and dry-needling/intramuscular stimulation (IMS).

As with all cases, each person requires an individualized treatment plan to help provide the most

effective treatment. Visit a Physiotherapist to help resolve your TMD issues!

By: Physio Dan