Understanding TMJ Disorders And How Physical Therapy Relieves Jaw Pain

Jaw pain can affect more of your daily life than you might expect.

Simple activities like chewing, speaking, yawning, or even smiling can become uncomfortable when something isn’t working properly in your temporomandibular joint — better known as the TMJ.

TMJ disorders can cause symptoms like jaw pain, clicking, stiffness, headaches, and difficulty opening or closing your mouth comfortably.

For some people, these symptoms are temporary.

For others, they can become persistent and start interfering with everyday activities.

The good news is that there are ways to manage these symptoms and improve how your jaw moves — and physical therapy can play an important role in that process.

If jaw pain or clicking is interfering with daily activities, early treatment can help prevent symptoms from becoming more persistent.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at:

• What a TMJ disorder is and how the jaw joint works
• Common signs, symptoms, and risk factors
• How TMJ disorders are diagnosed
• And how physical therapy can help reduce pain and improve jaw function

Let’s explore what might be causing your jaw discomfort — and what you can do to start feeling better.

What Is A TMJ Disorder?

A TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the surrounding muscles involved in jaw movement.

There is one TMJ on either side of your jaw.

These joints act like sliding hinges that connect your jawbone to your skull.

A TMJ disorder can cause pain in your jaw joint and the muscles responsible for controlling jaw movement.

The following video explains the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint and demonstrates how TMJ disorders can impact jaw mobility and surrounding muscles.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorders can affect each person differently and to varying degrees of severity.

Common signs and symptoms of a TMJ disorder may include:

• Pain in your jaw, on one or both sides
• Pain in the muscles used for chewing
• Aching neck pain
• Aching face pain
• Aching pain in and around your ears
• Headaches
• Eye pain
• Reduced jaw mobility
• Difficulty chewing
• Locking of your TMJ
• Ringing in your ears, dizziness, or hearing loss
• Misaligned upper and lower teeth
• Tooth pain
• Painful clicking, popping, or grinding in your jaw joint

Keep in mind that clicking or popping sounds in your TMJ can occur when you open and close your mouth or chew.

If there’s no accompanying pain or reduced mobility, this is considered normal and doesn’t require treatment.

However, if clicking or popping occurs alongside pain or reduced jaw mobility, it may indicate a TMJ disorder.

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What Causes TMJ Disorders?

Your TMJ functions like a sliding hinge.

The bones in your TMJ are covered with cartilage and separated by a small shock-absorbing disk.

This disk helps the joint move smoothly and absorb stress during jaw movement.

If this disk erodes or moves out of place, it can cause pain and lead to a TMJ disorder.

Other potential causes or risk factors of a TMJ disorder may include:

• Sprains or strains in your TMJ ligaments
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Head injury
• TMJ spasms affecting the jaw muscles
• Genetics
• Chronic stress
• Bruxism
• Repetitive habits like gum chewing or nail biting
• Gender (women are more likely to have TMJ disorders than men)
• Mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression
• Smoking
• Fibromyalgia
• Insomnia
• Ankylosing spondylitis

In some cases, the exact cause of a TMJ disorder isn’t clear.

However, regardless of the cause of your TMJ disorder, physical therapy can help address any issues you may be having.

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How Is A TMJ Disorder Diagnosed?

In order to determine if you have a TMJ disorder, your physical therapist will look at your medical history and perform a comprehensive assessment.

They’ll review your symptoms and examine your jaw by:

• Pressing on areas of your jaw to determine points of pain
• Assessing whether pain stays localized or radiates to other areas
• Listening to and feeling your jaw as you open and close your mouth
• Assessing your jaw’s range of motion
• Checking the face, jaw, neck, and head for tenderness

Your physical therapist will also ask you whether you feel pain in other parts of your body, such as your back or head.

They’ll then put together a tailored physical therapy treatment plan based on your symptoms and the severity of your condition.

How Physical Therapy Can Help With TMJ Disorders

Physical therapy for TMJ disorders aims to reduce pain, improve jaw mobility, and restore normal jaw function.

After assessing your condition, your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms, movement limitations, and goals.

Physical therapy for TMJ disorders typically focuses on:

• Reducing pain and muscle tension
• Improving jaw mobility
• Addressing any muscle imbalances that may exist
• Correcting poor posture that puts stress on the jaw
• Addressing habits that may contribute to a TMJ disorder
• Preventive therapy to reduce recurrence of symptoms

Your physical therapist may use manual therapy to gently stretch the soft tissues and muscles around your TMJ.

This can help relieve pain and improve function.

They may also recommend exercises that can help stretch and strengthen the jaw muscles to promote smoother movement and reduce locking and clicking.

Additionally, physical therapy treatments may include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

TENS uses electrodes placed on the skin to deliver mild electrical impulses that may help reduce pain signals.

This may help to relieve pain in TMJ disorders and improve your ability to open your mouth.

Physical therapy may also address behavioral habits that contribute to TMJ symptoms.

This can include:

• Dietary changes to reduce jaw stress
• Stress reduction strategies
• Bringing attention to poor habits, like teeth grinding or nail biting

In certain situations, there may be structural issues with the TMJ that require surgery.

If that’s the case, post-surgery recovery physical therapy can help you regain and improve your jaw mobility and restore your ability to carry out essential functions.

If you have a TMJ disorder, physical therapy can help relieve pain, manage symptoms, prevent long-term issues, and improve your jaw’s function.

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Book Your Appointment With Our Physical Therapy Clinic Today

TMJ disorders can make everyday activities like eating, speaking, and even smiling feel uncomfortable — but the right treatment can help you regain comfort and control.

Physical therapy can reduce jaw pain, improve mobility, ease muscle tension, and help prevent recurring flare-ups so you can return to daily activities more comfortably.

At Capitol Physical Therapy, our therapy team creates personalized treatment plans designed around your specific symptoms, habits, and goals.

With two convenient locations in the DC area, expert care is always nearby.

Book your appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today and take the first step toward lasting relief and smoother jaw movement.