TMJ Physiotherapy
Assessment and treatment for jaw pain, clicking, stiffness and problems affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
TMJ Physiotherapy can help people experiencing pain or dysfunction around the jaw, face and surrounding muscles.
What is TMJ Physiotherapy?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull.
Problems affecting this area can cause pain around the jaw, face, temple or ear, as well as clicking, stiffness, reduced movement and difficulty with activities such as eating, yawning or opening the mouth fully.
TMJ symptoms can develop for a number of reasons, including joint irritation, muscle tension, clenching or grinding, trauma, altered movement patterns or following dental or surgical treatment.
Physiotherapy aims to identify what is contributing to the problem and guide treatment and rehabilitation accordingly.
What can we help with?
- Jaw pain
- Clicking or popping around the jaw
- Reduced or painful mouth opening
- Jaw stiffness
- Pain when chewing or yawning
- Muscle tension around the jaw, face or temple
- Symptoms associated with clenching or grinding
- Headache associated with jaw dysfunction
- Symptoms following dental procedures or jaw surgery
- Recurrent jaw pain affecting day to day function
Assessment
Your first appointment will include a detailed physiotherapy assessment of your symptoms, jaw movement and the surrounding muscles and joints.
We will look at how the jaw moves, which movements reproduce your symptoms and whether factors such as muscle tension, posture, clenching or altered movement patterns may be contributing.
The assessment will also consider any relevant dental, medical or surgical history.
Where symptoms suggest that further dental, medical or specialist assessment may be appropriate, we can help guide the next stage of care.
When further assessment may be needed
Not every jaw problem is best managed with physiotherapy alone.
Where symptoms suggest that dental review, imaging, specialist medical assessment or another opinion may be appropriate, we can help guide patients towards the right next step.
For some patients, massage-based treatment focusing on the jaw, face and neck may also be appropriate.
This is offered as a separate treatment service and may include intra oral techniques where appropriate and with consent.
Book TMJ Physiotherapy
TMJ Physiotherapy appointments can be booked directly online using the dedicated appointment option.