How Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve The Discomforts Of Tmj Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most frequently used joints in the human body. This paired joint connects the upper and lower jaws that allow us talk, chew, swallow, sneeze and yawn among others. It is located on both sides of the cranium. Due to the functions that this joint have to carry out as well as the pressure and stress that it has to withstand, it could become the source of varying disorders that are collectively touted as temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ.

There are various reasons why TMJ develops. A severe injury to the jaw or temporomandibular joint could disrupt the smooth motion of the jaw, causing pain or locking, which overtime could actually lead to TMJ. Aside from accidents and injuries to the jaw, other factors that cause TMJ include teeth grinding or clenching, dislocation of the cushion between the socket and ball as well as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the temporomandibular joint. Stress and tension could also awaken TMJ, or could intensify an existing TMJ disorder.

These days, there are myriads of TMJ treatments available for TMJ sufferers including pharmaceutical and psychological treatment options. Sadly, not all them warrant long-term results and are more focused in providing symptomatic relief to patients. Luckily, physical therapy for TMJ is now available, patients can now alleviate the pain and discomforts of their TMJ.

Physical therapy for TMJ is noted to be a conservative yet reversible treatment for the said dysfunction. It is centered in providing patients with gentle muscle stretching and relaxation exercises and is sometimes combined with short-term pharmacological approaches. The main goals of TMJ physical therapy are to lessen the pain induced by the condition, decrease intra-articular inflammation or tendonitis, restoration of the normal function of the mandible, and normalize ROM.

There are different modalities through which physical therapy for TMJ can be facilitated. These include heat in the form of heat pack, ultrasound or phonophoresis; electrotherapy; cyrotherapy; and manual techniques like soft tissue mobilization massages, joint mobilization/distraction, or cervical traction. It should be regarded that TMJ is a complex condition that involves various aspects of physical therapy, which is why a combination of the aforesaid approaches can be applied to a patient. Likewise, as not all TMJ patients have the same clinical presentation, a therapist first has to determine the exact cause of the disorder in order to create a better physical therapy plan for the patient.

After receiving physical therapy treatment for your disorder, your physical therapist would educate you about the things that you have know about your condition, which in turn would help you in relieving TMJ-related pain and preventing possible TMJ symptom relapses. This education include a home rehabilitation program that include points like no chewing of gum, ice, and/or fingernails, no clenching of teeth, no wide opening of jaws when eating, singing, yawning and talking. You would also be provided with exercises that are intentionally made to address the issues concerning your posture.

About the Author:
Temporomandibular joint disorder is becoming more common today. Yet, the best treatments used induced by TMJ is through physical therapy. Physical therapy for TMJ involves a variety of relaxing exercises.

Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com

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