Effective Ways to Relieve TMJ Pain at Home
Path to Reducing your TMJ Symptoms
The persistent ache in your jaw signifies a common yet distressing disorder: temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, thrusting you into a relentless quest for relief.
Effective management often starts with confronting a physician, harnessing simple but strategic approaches tailored to reduce the discomfort - an essential step towards reclaiming your daily serenity.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, abbreviated as TMD, arise from complications within the complex articulation of the jaw joint and the surrounding musculature. Underlying causes may vary, ranging from excessive teeth grinding, habitual clenching, to structural misalignments or degenerative joint diseases. Symptoms are not confined merely to pain; they can include difficulty in chewing, a clicking or popping sound upon opening or closing the mouth, and even a limited range of motion.
Identifying TMJ Symptoms
Temporomandibular joint disorders present a spectrum of symptoms, commonly starting with persistent jaw pain. Patients may also experience tenderness in the jaw muscles, signaling the presence of TMJ dysfunction.
Often, TMJ syndrome manifests through joint noises, such as clicking, grating, or popping, once the mouth moves. These auditory cues should prompt an evaluation by a healthcare professional for appropriate intervention.
The TMJ is utilized over 2,000 times a day during activities like speaking and eating.
Distinctive signs include difficulties in jaw movement, where opening or closing becomes challenging. Alongside stiffness, some patients notice a sudden change in how the upper and lower teeth fit together, further impeding normal jaw function.
If you are experiencing TMJ pain, physical therapy has been a beneficial treatment option to many patients leading to reduced pain and restore mobility. Physical therapists and Dentists work together to assess the degree of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan that works best for you. At Fox Valley PT, we are devoted to utilizing top-of-the-line treatments to shorten recovery time frames, enabling our patients to resume their active lifestyles quickly.