If you’ve got a nagging headache or any jaw-related pain, you’re likely suffering from TMJ Dysfunction. Your symptoms might include headaches, soreness, and jaw clicking, and could potentially cause other health problems if left untreated. TMJ physiotherapy in Edmonton from Scona Sports & Physiotherapy will help alleviate the disruptive pain and discomfort caused by TMJ.
What is TMJ?
“TMJ” stands for temporomandibular joint. Your temporomandibular joint is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull’s temporal bone. This is the bone in front of the ear on each side of your head. These joints are traditionally flexible, letting the jaw move smoothly up and down and side to side, allowing you to talk, chew, and yawn.
Symptoms of TMJ
When you have TMJ Dysfunction, your jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles aren’t moving as smoothly as they should, because of problems with the muscles of the jaw, or the joint itself. Other common symptoms of TMJ include toothaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears. Because of excess tension and dysfunction in jaw muscles, patients have been known to experience lockjaw, clicking, and popping jaws, as well as swelling on the sides of the face.
What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?
While the cause for TMJ Dysfunction is not always known and can be a combination of a few factors, we have found some consistent trends with patients suffering from this condition. Some of the causes and leading factors include:
Injury to the jaw: Trauma to the temporomandibular joint or muscles of the head and neck, such as experiencing a heavy blow or whiplash has been known to develop TMD.
Bruxism: Grinding or clenching the teeth puts a lot of pressure on the TMJ. This often happens at night, when you’re completely unaware.
Dislocation: The soft cushion or disc between the ball and the socket of the jaw might have moved or dislocated.
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ.
Stress: We often tighten our facial and jaw muscles or clench our teeth when we’re nervous or stressed.
How do I Treat TMJ Disorder?
Treatment of TMJ disorder involves a thorough exploration of the history of your condition, an examination including range of motion, postural evaluation, cranial nerve evaluation, muscle palpation, and a detailed assessment of your autonomic nervous system through evaluation of your motor reflexes. Once a diagnosis has been made, we can prescribe a treatment plan that may include a dental orthotic for the relief of symptoms.
At Scona Sports & Physiotherapy, we diagnose jaw joint problems and provide appliance therapy. TMJ physiotherapy Edmonton aims to relax your jaw muscles with a dental orthotic and stabilize the joint. This will help restore correct bite alignment and stop muscle spasms that can cause pain.
In addition to appliance therapy, we may recommend other treatments such as jaw exercises, physiotherapy, or stress management techniques to help reduce inflammation and muscle tension. In severe cases where conservative treatments do not work, surgery may be necessary.
Evidence-Based TMJ Physiotherapy in Edmonton
At Scona Sports & Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists use evidence-based techniques and treatments to address TMJ disorders. We work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that targets your specific symptoms and addresses the root cause of your TMJ disorder.
We also offer patient education on self-management techniques and lifestyle modifications that can help prevent future flare-ups of TMJ pain.
If you are experiencing jaw pain or discomfort, it is important to seek professional help from a qualified physiotherapist at Scona Sports & Physiotherapy. With our comprehensive approach to TMJ physiotherapy, we can help alleviate your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. Don’t let TMJ pain keep you from enjoying your daily activities – contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our TMJ physiotherapy team in Edmonton is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care and helping you find relief from TMJ disorder.