Do you have pain, tightness or locking around your jaw? These symptoms may be caused by Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). These symptoms can arise from the temporomandibular joint itself (TMJ) or from the muscles surrounding the jaw.
The basic anatomy of the TMJ consists of the two bones – the mandible and temporal bone. In-between the two bones sit a disc which assist with the movement and fluidity of the joint. Two major muscles surround the joint which assist in clenching our jaw and eating – those are the temporalis and masseter muscle (figure 1)
Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and Physiotherapy
What Causes TMJ Dysfunction?
- Teeth grinding (bruxism): Excessive clenching or grinding puts pressure on the joint and creates tension in the masseter and temporalis muscles.
- Poor posture: Forward head posture impacts jaw alignment.
- Stress: Leads to unconscious jaw clenching.
- Injury: Direct trauma can cause dysfunction.
- Arthritis: Degenerative changes may affect the joint.
Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction
- Pain under the ear and tension around the jaw
- Headaches
- Clicking, popping or grinding noises
- Difficulty chewing or unable to open/close the jaw
Self-Management Tips
- Avoid hard or chewy foods that strain the jaw.
- Self massage: Performing self-massage over the surrounding muscles of the jaw
- Apply heat packs for pain relief.
- Perform gentle jaw and neck exercises daily – the Rocabado 6×6 is a great program to start with.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
At Modern Physiotherapy, we take a comprehensive approach to TMJ pain with treatments such as:
- Joint mobilisations: Hands-on techniques to stretch and mobilise the TMJ.
- Dry needling: Targets the masseter and temporalis muscles to relieve tension (figure 2).
- Postural correction: Addresses imbalances contributing to jaw dysfunction.
- Exercise prescription: A tailored program to address imbalances and weaknesses in the jaw and cervical spine.
(figure 2)
When to Seek Help
If TMJ pain persists or worsens, physiotherapy can help.
At Modern Physiotherapy, our Senior Physiotherapist Khoi can provide expert, evidence-based care to relieve jaw pain and restore function.
For any questions, call us at (08) 6161 0690 or email info@modernphysio.com.au.
Book online with Khoi via our website – www.modernphysio.com.au
