09 Nov Temporomandibular Joint Disorders And Physical Therapy Treatment

Have you ever experienced pain in or around your jaw from chewing, yawning, or even with simple mouth opening movements? Do you experience a clicking sensation when you open and close your mouth, or that you are unable to open your mouth as far as usual? If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you may be dealing with what is known as a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Breaking down this term into multiple parts to understand its origin, “temporo” is derived from the term “temporal”, which is a bone on the outside portion of the skull, and the term “mandibular” is your jaw bone. These two bones meet and make up the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When you think of a clinical condition related to the jaw and/or jaw pain, who is the first healthcare provider that comes to your mind who would manage that condition? Maybe a dentist or an orthodontist, right? In actuality, physical therapists have joined healthcare providers at the forefront of TMD treatment! In this article, you will learn all about temporomandibular joint disorders and physical therapy treatment as we discuss physical therapy as a first-line approach for TMD. We review how to optimally evaluate and treat this condition with our scope of practice or refer accordingly to the appropriate healthcare provider.