Jaw pain – does physiotherapy have a role?
When we talk about treating jaw pain, most people instantly think of the dentist. However, physiotherapy can often have a role in treating several types of jaw pain.
The most common type of jaw pain comes from dysfunctions of the temporo-mandibular joint (or TMJ) and associated bruxism. The TMJ is the technical name for your jaw; it is a sliding hinge type joint, with your lower jaw sliding and rotating around part of your cheekbone. There are also several small and large muscles that control your jaw and provide power for biting and chewing. When these muscles become particularly overactive, resulting in teeth grinding or clenching, this can be called bruxism.
Bruxism can occur either awake or asleep. Awake bruxism occurs during the day, often associated with stress, anxiety, and depression, and apart from typical clenching and grinding, can take the form of activities such as nail biting, jaw bracing, and cheek or tongue biting. Sleep bruxism occurs in about 20% of people, and does not necessarily result in pain or dysfunction, but is classified as the abnormal clenching of jaw muscles through non-REM sleep.
Often TMJ disorders present with some or all the following signs and symptoms:
- Pain in the jaw, one or both sides
- Pain in the neck
- Headaches in temporal area
- Clicking in the jaw
- Reports from dentist of abnormal teeth wear
- Reports from partner of teeth grinding during sleep
Jaw pain and physiotherapy
A physiotherapy assessment will help identify the specific structures contributing to your TMJ dysfunction and has been shown to help improve symptoms in 3-6 weeks. Depending on your contributing factors, we may also recommend you visit your dentist for a sleep splint to help decrease the load on your jaw and protect your teeth.
Physiotherapy treatments for TMJ disorders can include joint mobilisations, massage, myofascial release, acupuncture/dry needling, neck/cervical mobilisations, and development of strategies to help deal with contributing psycho-social factors, as well as stretches and strength exercises you can do at home.
If you feel that you might be suffering from TMJ pain and dysfunction, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Ferry Rd Physio and we can advise you on the best course of treatment for your individual presentation. If you know you would like to book in, feel free to book online.