How to treat jaw lock from TMJ

Your jaw is used on a daily basis, from talking to your co-workers to enjoying your favorite foods. When your jaw isn’t properly functioning, or it feels locked in place, it can interfere with your overall quality of life. Jaw lock is a common symptom of a disorder called TMJ dysfunction.

TMJ dysfunction can cause pain and reduced movement of your jaw. Many people assume that jaw lock and lockjaw are the same, but lockjaw isn’t caused by TMJ dysfunction. By learning about what jaw lock is and how it relates to TMJ dysfunction, you can figure out the best course of action for treatment.

We’ll talk about the difference between jaw lock and lockjaw before diving into potential treatment options for TMJ dysfunction, including physical therapy.

How is jaw lock from TMJ different from lockjaw?

As you’re researching jaw lock, you’re probably often seeing the term “lockjaw.” While the terms seem like they are synonymous, only one is caused by TMJ dysfunction.

Jaw lock refers to the feeling of your jaw muscles becoming stiff and “locking up,” meaning that your jaw is unable to properly move, making it difficult to open your mouth to complete actions such as yawn, laugh or chew your food. 

Lockjaw, also known as trismus, is a condition that can tighten up the jaw muscles due to muscle spasms. It’s often a result of tetanus, which is a bacterial infection that causes muscle contractions in the jaw and neck. 

While jaw lock is a symptom of TMJ dysfunction, lockjaw isn’t. TMJ dysfunction is a condition that means that the temporomandibular joint, the sliding hinge that connects your skull to your jaw, isn’t functioning properly. It can cause jaw lock as well as pain, headaches and clicking noises.

How to treat jaw lock from TMJ dysfunction

While some flare-ups of TMJ dysfunction can cause your jaw to lock up for a short period of time, they can sometimes cause jaw lock that lasts days or weeks. That’s why it’s important to be proactive about treatment. 

There are many ways to alleviate jaw lock from TMJ. While some options can be achieved at home, others will require the guidance of a health care professional, such as a physician or a physical therapist.

• Medication — For temporary pain relief, ask your health care provider about taking an NSAID, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Over-the-counter medication can help alleviate TMJ symptoms, including jaw lock. Your provider may also give you a prescription for a muscle relaxer.

• Injection — If your jaw lock from TMJ dysfunction doesn’t seem to be getting any better, your health care provider may recommend a steroid injection of corticosteroids to loosen up the muscles that are making your jaw lock.

• Bite splint — A dentist may recommend a bite splint to wear at night to keep the jaw relaxed and prevent clenching and grinding that can overwork muscles and cause the tightness associated with jaw lock.

• Posture adjustment — A common cause for TMJ dysfunction is poor posture, such as overextending your neck, because the joints are misaligned or popping out of place. You can slowly reduce TMJ symptoms, such as jaw lock, by working with a physical therapist to make proper adjustments to your posture.

• Exercises — Stretches can go a long way in reducing your jaw lock. It’s important that you learn safe and effective stretching techniques from a physical therapist to make sure that you don’t overexert the muscles too quickly and do further damage. Common jaw stretches for TMJ dysfunction include chin tucks and resisted opening exercises.

• Manual therapy — Since jaw lock is the result of tight muscles, a hands-on approach can be effective. A physical therapist can use their hands to manipulate the tight tissue and loosen up the tense muscles that are contributing to your jaw lock.

How physical therapy can help treat jaw lock from TMJ dysfunction

Physical therapy is often one of the first courses of action for people experiencing jaw lock due to TMJ dysfunction. Not only can they help alleviate the current tight muscles that are interfering with your jaw mobility, but they can also help you reduce the risk or severity of experiencing jaw lock and other TMJ symptoms in the future.

A physical therapist can help you reduce TMJ symptoms, including jaw lock, by:

• Improving the flexibility and mobility of the affected area.
• Strengthening the muscles required for proper jaw function.
• Teaching stress relief techniques to prevent teeth grinding, which can lead to jaw lock.
• Giving recommendations for mouth guards that may help jaw lock.

Advent Physical Therapy can help treat jaw lock from TMJ

Jaw lock isn’t a symptom of TMJ that you should just hope will go away. Jaw lock from TMJ dysfunction can interfere with your overall quality of life, which is why it’s important that you explore treatment options. A physical therapist can help alleviate your jaw lock to help you regain full movement and function of your jaw.

Call us or request an appointment today to be treated for jaw lock from TMJ dysfunction.