Your jaw hurts when you bite, chew and talk! Is there anything that can be done for it? And what exactly is causing the pain? The temporomandibular joint (or TMJ for short) is the joint that allows us to open and close our jaw to eat, drink and talk! Just like al the joints in our body we have muscles that act on it. Just like all the other muscles in our body those muscles can be weak, tight and painful! For a more detailed discussion on the TMJ, refer to our blog You and your Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).
You might even notice your jaw clicks or locks.
We can employ a variety of manual techniques to relax those muscles including dry needling, and joint mobilizations. This helps those muscles settle and becomes less agitated and can help reduce the disc displacement. Your physical therapist will educate you on things to avoid, and what to add into your daily routine. They will also give you a series of exercises designed to support the jaw.
One that that can be helpful while at home is moist heat on your jaw and those sore muscles. Make sure your heating pad is at a medium temperature, because the face is more sensitive than other areas of the body. If it's getting too warm remove the heat or put a layer between it. Similarly a warm washcloth in the shower can also feel very good.
If you have jaw pain, our specialized physical therapists at Glackin Physiotherapy can help reduce jaw pain and improve your quality of life.Reach out to our office today!