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TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Dysfunction
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull, located just in front of your ears. It allows you to open and close your mouth for everyday activities like talking, chewing, and yawning. When this joint or the surrounding muscles become irritated or overloaded, it can lead to TMJ dysfunction (TMD).
Common symptoms include:
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Clicking or popping in the jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Headaches or facial pain
- Ear pain or pressure without infection
- Neck and shoulder tension
How TMJ Is Treated
Treatment focuses on reducing muscle tension, improving joint movement, and correcting contributing factors such as posture, stress, or teeth clenching.
Physiotherapy treatment may include:
- Hands-on manual therapy to the jaw, neck, and surrounding muscles
- Gentle mobility and strengthening exercises
- Education on jaw positioning and posture
- Techniques to reduce clenching or grinding habits
- Advice on modifying chewing or speaking habits during recovery
What You Can Do
There are several simple strategies that may help reduce symptoms:
- Avoid hard or chewy foods temporarily
- Limit excessive chewing (gum, tough meats)
- Practice relaxed jaw positioning (lips together, teeth apart
- Apply heat to tight jaw muscles
- Be mindful of posture, especially when using phones or computers
How kinect therapy is different
At Kinect Therapy, we take a hands-on approach to assessing the jaw, neck, and surrounding muscles to identify the root cause of TMJ symptoms and help you return to comfortable, pain-free movement.