Three benefits of TMJ physical therapy in Jenison, MI

Jenison, Michigan, physical therapists can help patients treat many neck and head issues, and this includes problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ is more commonly called the jaw joint, and it’s used for everything from eating to talking. If you’re living with pain or stiffness in your TMJ, there are ways Jenison-based therapists can help. In fact, there are three huge benefits TMJ physical therapy can provide to you. 

1.   Improve joint mobility

One of the biggest issues TMJ physical therapy can help with is improving the mobility of the jaw. When your jaw becomes stiff and harder to move, doing activities like chewing can be harder and even painful. However, a physical therapist can help decrease stiffness in this joint with therapy methods like joint mobilization. 

Joint mobilization is one type of hands-on treatment in a therapy category called manual therapy. The movements done in joint mobilization are specifically designed to help improve joint movement. In many cases, this involves the therapist using their hands to help you do movements you can’t do on your own. The movements can help improve joint lubrication, reduce stiffness and decrease the pain your stiff joint is causing you. 

2.   Improve posture

Few people are aware that many TMJ problems may be linked to your neck posture. However, this is often the case. Several of your neck muscles are vital to moving the TMJ, and poor neck posture can increase tension in these muscles. It can also cause them to become weaker over time. TMJ physical therapy sessions can benefit you by showing you ways to overcome poor neck posture. The therapist may offer ergonomic recommendations about your chair, keyboard, computer monitor and other parts of your work or home environment. Improving your posture can result in stronger, healthier neck muscles, and this improvement can also take away the source of your TMJ problem. 

3.   Help you recover faster

TMJ issues aren’t something that anyone wants to deal with for long, and TMJ physical therapy can help speed up your recovery process. For instance, your therapist can help you make temporary dietary changes to increase your recovery speed. One such suggestion may be to eat softer foods or go on an all-liquid diet for a short time. Also, they can provide you with information about foods you should avoid eating with TMJ problems. Some of the foods that you might want to steer clear of include things like carrots and hard candy. Therapists can also help you get an idea of certain repetitive jaw movements to avoid, such as chewing gum, and these seemingly small things can dramatically reduce your recovery time. 

Where can you find TMJ physical therapy in Jenison, MI?

Are you wondering if there’s anywhere in Jenison that offers TMJ physical therapy? Advent Physical Therapy has a clinic here in town that offers this and many other forms of physical therapy. Our treatment plans are personalized to the needs of each patient, and they often include therapy techniques such as: 

• Manual therapy
• Therapeutic stretches
• Targeted strengthening exercises
• Cupping
• Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) therapy

Ready for us to help treat your pain? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.