Common causes of TMJ pain

Chances are, you’re not too familiar with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) unless you’ve suffered pain in this area. The TMJ is the joint in your jaw that connects your jawbone to your skull. Jaw joint pain not only hurts, but it also makes it difficult for you to eat and talk. 

Minor cases of pain in the jaw joint are often caused by strain and tend to go away on their own, but more severe cases typically require medical assistance. Physical therapists can help you find out the cause of your TMJ pain. They can also develop individualized treatment plans to reduce it.

What are some common causes of TMJ pain?

Identifying the specific cause of your TMJ pain is the first step toward effectively treating it. Physical therapists can perform an evaluation on your jaw intended to reveal the source of your pain. Some of the issues that your evaluation might pinpoint as the cause of your jaw pain include:

• Grinding your teeth — If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you put unnecessary pressure on your jaw that can result in pain.
• Arthritis — Inflammation of the joints can affect the TMJ along with other joints in your body. This inflammation can cause damage to the cartilage in the TMJ, resulting in severe pain.
• Poor jaw posture — Clenching your jaw or tightening your mouth frequently can cause pain in your jaw. These behaviors are usually associated with stress, so lowering your stress can play a role in reducing and preventing your pain.
• Crooked teeth — Crooked teeth can cause your jaw to shift and create pressure on the TMJ.
•  Jaw injuries — Sudden impacts or whiplash can damage the joint or cause it to be misaligned. In turn, such issues can be the starting point for a painful jaw.

What to do if you have TMJ pain

Most cases of jaw joint pain can be treated with nonsurgical procedures, such as physical therapy. If your pain requires surgical treatment, physical therapy can also aid you in your recovery.

Our Advent Physical Therapy team is skilled at identifying the cause of jaw pain. We also offer free screenings that are designed with this in mind. Additionally, we can develop a personalized treatment plan intended to help reduce your pain, and your plan can include therapy techniques like: 

• Manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercises
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
• Virtual care
• At-home therapy

Would you like to speak to our team about getting treatment for your TMJ pain? Contact us today for more information about the treatment options we offer or to schedule an initial appointment.