The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a sliding-hinge joint which connects the jawbone to the skull and is responsible for opening and closing the mouth. Both the joint itself and the surrounding muscles can be a source of TMJ pain, and it is experienced by people who clench or grind their teeth at night, who have experienced trauma to the area, have arthritis or jaw alignment issues, and muscle tensions from triggers like poor posture, stress and even chewing gum.
Physiotherapy for TMJ (which comes under the umbrella of Orofacial myofunctional therapy or OMT) involves addressing the contributing factors specific to each patient. This can include active exercises and modifications to improve jaw mobility and alleviate symptoms.
Joint mobilisations and soft tissue release techniques can also reduce tension in surrounding muscles and relieve pain and stiffness in the TMJ. It’s almost important to try to eliminate contributing factors like stress and posture, to prevent future flare ups.
We have two convenient Physiotherapy clinics in Perth.
Practical physio advice and information to help you build resilience, prevent setbacks and stay active.
