Modern Physiotherapy Management of Temporomandibular joint Disorders (TMD)
Note: ‘TMJ’ is not a diagnosis or explanation of one’s pain. It refers to the 2-joint system involved in opening and closing the mouth: the Temporomandibular Joint!
Modern Management of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause persistent jaw pain, clicking, headaches, and difficulty chewing - affecting your quality of life in different ways. While TMD can stem from various factors, such as muscle tension, joint dysfunction, or stress-related habits like clenching and grinding, the good news is that there are effective, non-invasive ways to manage and reduce these symptoms.
Updated approaches for TMD go far beyond heat packs or simple jaw exercises. Care should be tailored to each person’s unique history and presentation. After a detailed assessment of the jaw, neck, and surrounding muscles, treatment may include:
Education and Habit Awareness: Many people aren’t aware of the small habits that can aggravate TMD—like clenching, nail biting, or forward head posture. Physiotherapists work with clients to identify and modify these patterns, helping prevent flare-ups and support long-term relief.
Manual Therapy: Gentle, hands-on techniques to reduce muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and calm irritation in the jaw and neck regions. This can help restore normal jaw movement and reduce pain.
Exercise and Posture Retraining: Gentle strengthening and mobility exercises for the jaw, neck, and upper back can improve joint function and symptom intensity. Relaxation techniques, such as TRE®, can also help manage stress, which often contributes to jaw tension.
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS): Also known as dry needling, IMS targets trigger points in tight muscles that may be contributing to jaw discomfort or tension headaches. It’s especially helpful when traditional stretching or massage hasn’t fully resolved muscle tightness.
Photobiomodulation: Low level laser therapy can be useful in reducing pain intensity and inflammation in affected joints and regions.
Collaborative Care is Key
Physiotherapists play an important role in managing TMD but are also trained to recognize when other healthcare providers need to be involved. This could include referrals to a dentist, orthodontist, psychologist, or physician, depending on the underlying cause or severity of symptoms. It is important that your healthcare providers work closely together to ensure comprehensive care.
The Takeaway
TMD doesn’t have to be something you “just live with.” A modern, evidence-informed approach can help you reduce pain and improve function and quality of life so that . Whether you're a patient looking for relief, or a dental professional looking for a trusted collaborator, physiotherapy is a valuable part of the care team in managing TMD.
For a deeper dive into the anatomy and operation of the TMJ check out this Youtube link
- Thanks for reading and keep looking for more posts in the future on other ‘hot topics’ in the world of Physiotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation!
