Physiotherapy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) focuses on improving jaw function, reducing pain and making it easier to open your mouth, talk and chew.
When your jaw needs help
The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull, and when it doesn’t work properly, various difficulties can appear, from clicking or popping during movement to pain, limited mouth opening or unpleasant tension in the jaw and face.
What the therapy includes
Depending on the specific problem, physiotherapy can include:
- targeted jaw exercises
- work on the mobility of the temporomandibular joint
- manual techniques
- work with the muscles of the jaw, face and neck
- practising coordination of jaw movement
- recommendations for everyday loading of the jaw
With more severe or long-term difficulties, it’s important to look at the problem comprehensively. In some cases, the physiotherapist may need to work together with a dentist, an orthodontist or another specialist.
