TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or Dysfunction, or TMD, is a common condition that limits the natural functions of the jaw, such as opening the mouth, painful clicking and chewing.
TMD affects more women than men and is most often diagnosed in individuals aged 20 to 40 years. There are a variety of causes; including stress, correction of overbite/underbite, trauma and a long history of chronic neck pain and/or headaches.
Its causes a range of problems from chronic jaw clenching, and poor teeth alignment to fracture or conditions such as lockjaw, where the muscles around the jaw spasm and reduce the ability of the mouth to open. Patients with these issues also commonly exhibit problems with headaches/migraines as well as neck pain. These aspects are addressed to in your treatment care if the TMD is contributing to the problem.
Our team at Restorative Physical Therapy will assess your mechanism of the jaw, current stress and lifestyle including diet, assess your neck and headaches and formulate a treatment plan to help people with TMD ease pain, regain normal jaw movement, and strategies to lessen daily stress on the jaw.
