TMJ & OROFACIAL PAIN
(201) 535-4145 A: Paramus Physical Therapy & Rehab Center
12 N STATE ROUTE 17 SUITE 118 PARAMUS, NJ 07652 W: www.paramusptnj.com L: Google Map
(201) 880-7787 A: Maywood Physical Therapy & Rehab Center
119 E. Passaic St Maywood, NJ 07607 W: www.maywoodpt.com L: Google Map
(201) 523-9778 A: Emerson Physical Therapy & Rehab Center
45 Emerson Plaza East #102, Emerson, NJ 07630 W: www.emersonptnj.com L: Google Map
(201) 338-4053 A: Bergenfield Physical Therapy & Rehab Center
253 S Washington Ave, Suite 1a, Bergenfield, NJ 07621 W: www.bergenfieldptnj.com L: Google Map
(862) 249-1330 A: Clifton Physical Therapy & Rehab Center
1373 Broad Street Suite 204, Clifton, NJ 07013 W: www.cliftonptnj.com L: Google Map
Physical Therapy for TMJ pain (Temporomandibular Disorders) in Maywood, New Jersey
Physical therapist in paramus rehabilitation offer treatment for TMJ pain and other issues that are causing pain to your body and brain. Most people with this condition have experienced dental problems, jaw wear, sore and swollen muscles and joints. Physical therapy can restore function to your jaw and face muscles by strengthening them. When you have temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD you are unable to properly keep the lower teeth in alignment in a healthy way. Treatment begins by working on those joints through physical therapy sessions to help relieve any pain or dysfunction.
ANATOMY / FUNCTION
The TMJ is one of the most important joints in the human body. It connects the face to the skull. The TMJ, along with its ligaments and muscles, hold our face up and allow us to move it as we please. The TMJ also allows us to open our mouth wide and chew food adequately.
MUSCLES:
- Opening – inferior head of lateral pterygoid, anterior digastric, mylohyoid.
- Closing – masseter, anterior and middle temporalis, medial pterygoid, superior head lateral pterygoid.
- Protrusion – bilateral contraction of the lateral pterygoid.
- Retrusion – middle and posterior temporalis, posterior portion of masseter.
- Laterotrusion – ipsilateral middle and posterior temporalis, contralateral inferior head lateral pterygoid.
LIGAMENTS:
- Temporomandibular ligament
- Stylomandibular ligament
- Oto-mandibular ligaments
- Discomalleolar ligament
- Anterior malleolar ligament
The jaw is capable of exerting a force equivalent to that produced by the back muscles. The muscle contraction process involves a strong contraction of the masseter and temporalis muscles, at a time when they are in their most powerful state.
SYMPTOMS / CAUSES
TMJ is the most common disorder of the jaw bone and joint. If a patient has TMJ pain they may experience mild to severe symptoms that can result in serious impairment of their functionality. Pain experienced by patients with TMJ can range from mild discomfort to debilitating symptoms. The objective of this article is to give a brief overview of TMJ pain and its causation, as well as provide recommendations to relieve your symptoms so you can enjoy functional living again. Symptoms of TMJ pain include but are not limited to:
- Fatigue in the face
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain or discomfort biting
- Toothaches
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Earaches
- Shoulder pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Pain, tightness and tenderness in the jaw, neck of face
- Clicking, popping or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
DIAGNOSIS
The doctor will begin with a comprehensive examination which will address the onset, cause, duration, severity and vectors that cause the TMJ pain. TMJ pain rarely if ever requires any radiological referral. Radiology is often used before a dislocation release. The doctor can provide you with treatment options.
Paramus Physical Therapy: Quick, Customized Treatment Plans for TMJ Pain
Physical therapy is a functional therapy that treats the inner and outer aspects of the mouth and jaw. The physical therapist takes into consideration all factors that cause TMJ pain and performs evaluations on the patient to determine what needs to be done. Our mechanical tmj pain treatment offers individualized treatment plans that can be modified depending on each patient's level of pain. The best thing about this treatment plan is that it allows for quick recovery speeds by individualizing each patient's treatment plan.