Physical Therapy and Jaw Pain
Did you know physical therapists are trained to evaluate and treat jaw pain? Typically, jaw pain is associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the surrounding muscles used to chew food. This is called temporomandibular dysfunction, or TMD. Other signs and symptoms can include: headaches, neck pain, toothaches, ringing of the ears, popping/clicking, and decreased mouth opening.
A typical evaluation of your jaw pain includes a thorough personal history and questions like, “Which side of the mouth do you chew food on?” “Do you schedule regular visits to your dentist?” “Do you frequently chew gum, sunflower seeds, or sticky candies.” “Do you have any habits such as nail biting or grinding of teeth?” Next, we objectively assess your jaw range of motion and strength, look at movement patterns and your posture. From there, a more specific source of the pain can be determined and treated accordingly.
Therapy goals for the treatment of TMD include education, relieving symptoms, restoring proper kinematics (movements) of the TMJ and spine, refining posture, restoring oral function, and improving overall well-being.
If you are experiencing jaw pain like what is described above, therapy could be your ticket to relief. Talk to your doctor or simply stop by our clinic or call to schedule today!
Shelby Carlson, PT, DPT
Shelby is a western North Dakota native who graduated from the University of North Dakota with a doctoral degree in physical therapy in 2017. In addition to her desire to help others regain function through motion, she is particularly interested in the treatment of wounds and lymphedema management. She plans to become a Certified Wound Specialist (CWS) to provide the best care for her patients. She holds a Kinetacore Level 1 Functional Dry Needling certification.