If you’re experiencing jaw pain, clicking when yawning or eating, headaches, teeth grinding, tinnitus or neck pain, a visit to a TMJ physio is a good idea. These are all signs of TMJ or jaw dysfunction – a condition affecting up to 60-70% of the population that can result from injury, teeth or jaw malocclusion, disease or lifestyle (hello, slouchy).
At The Alignment Studio, our friendly team of physios can assist with comprehensive TMJ treatment in Melbourne CBD. Our highly experienced physio for TMJ will diagnose your condition, treat your joints and affected muscles and prescribe exercises to reduce your TMJ pain and get things moving smoothly again.
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint or, in simpler terms, jaw joint. Our two TMJs allow the jaw to be suspended under the skull and assist with eating and speaking. They occur where the hollow in the under-surface of the side skull bone meets a rounded prominence at the top of the jaw bone (mandible).
Temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD) arises when, for reasons such as arthritis, trauma or stress, the jaw joint is unable to perform as normal and jaw pain can arise.
Chronic earache? Discomfort in this region is often a sign of jaw dysfunction, due to the TMJ’s positioning. Each temporomandibular joint is located immediately in front of the ear, which explains symptoms such as ear pain, a blocked ear, or noises when moving the jaw.
TMJ disorder symptoms include:
TMJ disorders can stem from several contributing factors:
With specialist training, a TMJ physio is invaluable if you’re experiencing jaw pain or other symptoms. Specialising in the assessment and treatment of TMD, TMJ physiotherapists use various interventions to address the causes of TMJ issues and alleviate associated symptoms.
TMJ physiotherapists conduct thorough assessments of jaw function, posture, muscle strength and range of motion. They provide education about TMJ anatomy and self-management strategies such as postural corrections, stress reduction techniques, jaw exercises, and lifestyle modifications.
Your TMJ physio will use manual therapy techniques including soft tissue massage, joint mobilisations, and stretching exercises to alleviate pain, improve range of motion, and enhance overall jaw function.
They will also prescribe exercises and rehabilitation programs to strengthen weak muscles, improve flexibility, correct muscle imbalances and optimise jaw movement patterns.
Depending on your needs, TMJ physios may also use heat, ice, electrical stimulation and dry needling to alleviate jaw pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing.
With over 30 years of physiotherapy experience, The Alignment Studio’s Peter Bond is one of the leading names in TMJ physiotherapy in Melbourne. Having undergone extensive additional study and consulted at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne, Peter is equipped to provide a thorough assessment, practical advice on correct jaw usage, and effective treatment and rehabilitation.
After taking a detailed history and identifying the root cause of your dysfunction, he will create a treatment plan to improve joint movement and muscle function via postural correction and hands-on therapy. Techniques including mobilisation, massage, gentle stretching, strengthening and dry needling are often used.
Yes. A physiotherapist with specialised training can help with TMJ dysfunction by providing manual therapy, exercises, and education to improve jaw mobility and reduce pain.
There are four key stages of TMJ dysfunction:
Early intervention is best, so always seek advice if you’re experiencing TMD symptoms.
Massaging the jaw muscles with gentle, circular motions can help relieve tension and reduce joint and myofascial pain. However, we recommend seeing your physio to determine whether this is suitable and learn the correct technique.
A simple jaw-opening exercise may help improve jaw mobility and strengthen the muscles surrounding the TMJ. Place your thumb under your chin and gently press down, opening your mouth against the resistance. Hold this position for a few seconds, then close your mouth slowly. Again, seek the advice of your physio before attempting this exercise.
Want to reduce jaw pain and headaches, and improve jaw mobility today? Book an appointment with our highly skilled TMJ physio, Peter, to begin your treatment!
