22nd, February 2012 
TMJ DISORDER
Do you grind your teeth, experience frequent jaw pain, neck problems, facial pain or difficulty chewing? Does your jaw click, pop or lock? If so, you may be one of the many undiagnosed TMJ sufferers.
CAUSES OF "TMJ PAIN"
The temporomandibular joints are located in front of each ear and connect the jaw to the skull.
Disorders of this joint are common and occur more frequently in women than in men. Causes include:
- Dental work e.g tooth extractions, implants etc.
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Nail biting or excessive chewing
- Car Accident
- Blunt force to the face
- Sport
- Osteoarthritis
- Disc displacement.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TMJ DISORDERS
- Clicking
- Popping
- Muscle spasm
- Locked jaw, unable to open and close your mouth
- Facial deformity/asymmetry
- Tenderness over the joint
- Toothache or ear pain
- Headaches
- Pain in the neck
If you are suffering from any of these signs or symptoms,
know that you are not alone. At Glen Eira Physiotherapy centre we have
Physiotherapists who are highly qualified to assess, diagnose and treat the disorder. Do not delay call us now !! Treatment involves:
- Mobilisation of the joint and stretching of the ligaments
- Massage to the muscles of the jaw and neck
- Ultrasound
- Dry Needling
- Heat
- Home exercise program
- Possible referral to a dentist to be fitted with an occlusion splint.