TMJ Disorders

What is TMJ and TMD?

Both sides of your jaw have a joint called the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Pain and other issues that arise in the TMJ are called Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD). Here at Pitt meadows Physiotherapy Clinic, we specialize in TMJ problems and solutions.

There are many reasons why you may develop TMJ Dysfunction. Some causes of TMD are poor alignment or trauma to the teeth and jaw, teeth grinding, post-dental treatment, poor posture, trauma, playing an instrument, whiplash, muscle imbalance, stress, arthritis, inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders and excessive gum chewing. If gone untreated, TMJ disorders can lead to clicking of the jaw, lockjaw, swelling of the face, pain while chewing food, nerve inflammation, headaches, migraines and possibly even dislocation of the TMJ.

Treating TMJ Disorders

Treating your TMJ issues will depend on your specific symptoms and causes. Manual therapy and massage techniques can be used for joint mobilization. Exercise, postural correction, education, stress management skills and dry needling can start to help you feel better. 

The sooner you treat TMJ disorders the better. A lot can be done to help with issues of your TMJ by our expert physiotherapists. We can help find the root cause of why you are experiencing your problems in order to help relieve pain and restore natural movement to your TMJ. Afterwards, you can continue on with the exercises we give you in order to to ensure results that last for a long time.