What is Jaw Pain and Temporomandibular Dysfunction?
If your jaw hurts or feels tired, it can make everyday things like eating, talking, and laughing hard to do. Our physical therapists want to help you feel better, so you can enjoy these activities without pain.
If your dentist has checked your teeth and there's no damage, your pain might be caused by TMD, which stands for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction.
TMD happens when the joints that connect your lower jaw to your head don’t work right. These joints can move out of sync, get misaligned, or the muscles around your jaw might not work properly.
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Our therapists understand how the jaw works and can help you manage the pain. Your therapy will include:
Hands-on therapy to help the jaw
Teaching you how to care for your jaw at home
Exercises to make your jaw muscles stronger
Education on how to train your nervous system to manage pain
Help with posture and how to sit properly
Common jaw problems we treat:
- Jaw pain or pain near your ear
- Jaw gets tired when you open it for too long
- Clicking or popping when you move your jaw
- Jaw getting stuck (lockjaw)
- Headaches or neck pain
There are other symptoms we treat that are associated with TMD and it takes a physical therapist to evaluate and determine if the cause is the jaw. We also work with your dentist and other healthcare providers to give you the best care.
Our team at Pain Science Physical Therapy is ready to help you get rid of jaw pain.
Call us at (206) 327-9880 or click the link below to schedule an initial evaluation today.