TMJ Treatment

One of the basic TMJ treatment options we would introduce is a concept of rest position of your jaw (mandible), good neck (cervical spine) alignment, breathing in and out through the nose, most of the time with a diaphragmatic pattern, in an effort to promote and maintain a physiological state of rest between the head and the cervical spine. 

Myofascial release and soft tissue massage target the muscle and fascial systems, promotes flexibility and mobility of the body’s connective tissues, helps reduce any inflammation, sensitivity and TMJ pain. 

A manual physical therapy technique comprised of a continuum of skilled passive movements that are applied at varying speeds and amplitudes, including a small amplitude/high velocity therapeutic movement. The primary goal is to restore movement and more normal mechanics of a joint, to improve function and reduce pain. 

Modalities or biophysical agents are a broad group of agents that use various forms of energy (light, sound, electrical) and are intended to assist muscle force generation and contraction; decrease unwanted muscular activity; increase the rate of healing of soft tissue; modulate or decrease pain; reduce or eliminate edema; improve circulation; decrease inflammation, connective tissue extensibility, or restriction associated with musculoskeletal injury.. 

Intramuscular dry needling is a procedure in which an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin and muscle tissue. The needle is directed at myofascial trigger points that cause and refer pain throughout the body. The primary goal of utilizing dry needling is to break the pain cycle, restore the muscle tissue to it normal resting length, which will promote increase range of motion and increase strength of the muscle. 

Neuromuscular reeducation and exercises or functional movement patterns to develop balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, core stability, efficiency of muscle contraction, and improve motor recruitment patterns. This phase of rehabilitation is necessary to promote the patient’s independence, and maintain or improve the benefits of the physical therapy treatment. 

No TMJ physical therapy session is complete unless, as a health care provider, we take the time to educate our patients, understand their condition, ease their fears, and empower them to help themselves. 

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, Craniosacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, including Temporomandibular disorders (TMD).