TMJ & Jaw Disorder Treatment

Specialized Physical Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

What Is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull on each side of your face. TMJ disorders (also called TMD) encompass a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. These disorders affect an estimated 10 million Americans and are more common in women than men.

Many people do not realize that physical therapy is an effective treatment for TMJ disorders. At Kinito Physical Therapy, our therapists have advanced training in treating the jaw, cervical spine, and the complex relationship between the two. A comprehensive approach addressing both the jaw and neck often produces the best results.

Common TMJ Symptoms

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Pain in or around the ear
• Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close the mouth
• Facial pain and aching
• Headaches, especially in the temples
• Neck pain and upper back tension
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Causes of TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can develop from a combination of factors including jaw injury or trauma, teeth grinding (bruxism), arthritis in the TMJ, stress and tension habits, poor posture (forward head posture), and cervical spine dysfunction. In many cases, the exact cause is difficult to pinpoint, which is why a thorough evaluation is essential.

How We Treat TMJ Disorders

TMJ Manual Therapy: Specialized intraoral and extraoral manual techniques to mobilize the jaw joint, release tight muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, pterygoids), and restore normal jaw mechanics.

Cervical Spine Treatment: Because the jaw and neck are biomechanically linked, we evaluate and treat the cervical spine concurrently. Dysfunction in the upper cervical segments often contributes to or mimics TMJ pain.

Postural Correction: Forward head posture places abnormal stress on the TMJ. We address postural imbalances through targeted exercises and ergonomic education.

Jaw Exercise Program: Specific exercises to improve jaw opening, coordination of jaw movements, and strength of the muscles that support the TMJ.

Dry Needling: Dry needling of the jaw muscles can provide significant relief for patients with myofascial TMJ pain.