Temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction (TMD), is a common condition that limits the natural functions of the jaw, such as opening the mouth and chewing. It currently affects more than 10 million people in the United States. It sometimes is referred to as “TMJ”, which represents the joint itself.
TMD affects more women than men and is most often diagnosed in individuals aged 20-40 years. It causes range from poor posture, chronic jaw clenching, and poor teeth alignment, to fracture or conditions such as lockjaw, where muscles around the jaw spasm and reduce the opening of the mouth.
TMD symptoms
- Jaw pain
- Difficultly opening your mouth to eat or talk
- Ringing in your ears
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Jaw fatigue
- Dizziness
- Popping sounds in your jaw
- Locking jaw
How physical therapy can help
Our physical therapists can help people with TMD ease pain, regain normal jaw movement and lessen daily stress on the jaw. We do this through posture education improving jaw movement, special pain treatments and even help with a partnering dentist.
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