TMJ Dysfunction
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder involves pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, which can interfere with activities like chewing, speaking, and yawning. The TMJ connects your jawbone (mandible) to your skull, allowing movement in the jaw. When this joint becomes inflamed, misaligned, or injured, it can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as:
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Jaw pain or tenderness
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
Locking of the jaw, making it hard to open or close the mouth
Headaches, earaches, or facial pain
Neck and shoulder tension
Untreated TMJ dysfunction affects both physical and mental health, interfering with basic daily functions and reducing your overall quality of life. TMJ can negatively impact your life by causing:
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Chronic Jaw Pain
making simple actions like chewing, talking, or yawning difficult and uncomfortable, leading to constant irritation and frustration.
Difficulty Eating
forcing you to avoid certain foods or struggle with eating. This can result in poor nutrition and a decreased enjoyment of meals
Sleep Disruption
Pain or discomfort in the jaw can cause poor sleep leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and reduced productivity, affecting your mood and overall well-being. In TMJ cases where bruxism is also present, quality of sleep is significantly impacted.
Headaches and Migraines
Due to the strain on jaw and neck muscles, frequent headaches and migraines are a common symptom, which can hinder concentration and make it difficult to focus on work and daily tasks.
Limited Jaw Mobility
TMJ dysfunction can restrict the jaw’s range of motion, and sometimes even lock, making it hard to open or close the mouth fully, interfering with basic activities like eating, speaking, or even brushing your teeth.
Impact on Mental Health
Dealing with chronic pain and discomfort can lead to anxiety, stress, and depression. The inability to enjoy daily activities or find relief from symptoms can take a toll on your mental health, lowering your overall quality of life.
Social and Emotional Strain
Constant pain and difficulty with speaking or eating can make social interactions uncomfortable, leading some people to withdraw from social activities. This isolation can further impact emotional well-being.
We understand how frustrating and painful TMJ dysfunction can be. Thankfully, TMJ dysfunction does not have to disrupt your life permanently. Physical therapy is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment for TMJ disorders. At Prime Physio Physical Therapy in Bronxville, NY and Mamaroneck, NY, we take pride in bringing our patients pain relief from their TMJ Dysfunction. Our highly trained TMJ dysfunction specialists will work with you to help get you that relief. Our physical therapists will take a comprehensive approach using:
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Myofunctional therapy to gently mobilize the jaw, reduce muscle tension, and improve joint alignment.
Posture Correction in the neck and shoulders to relieve pressure on the jaw joint.
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Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the jaw, improve range of motion, and correct imbalances that contribute to TMJ pain.
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Pain Relief techniques such as ultrasound, heat, or cold therapy to alleviate pain and inflammation in the jaw area.
At Prime Physio Physical Therapy in Bronxville, NY and Mamaroneck, NY, we specialize in treating TMJ disorders and address the underlying causes of jaw pain and discomfort. Our personalized physical therapy programs are designed to relieve symptoms, restore function, and prevent future issues, allowing you to enjoy pain-free jaw movement and a better quality of life.