TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay

What Does TMJ Mean?

TMJ is an abbreviation for the jaw joint used by medical professionals at TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay, and all around the world. The TMJ is what connects the lower mandible, also known as the jaw bone , to the skull. It’s important to note that although some people use it as a lay term for “pain in my ear”, which some describe being caused by pressure on nerves due to structural issues, this pain is not actually TMJ.

How Does It Work?

The TMJ connects to the mandible via four different ligaments; these are the anterior (front), posterior (back) lateral (sideways) and medial (inwards). The joint is surrounded by muscle tissue, which allows for movement of the jaw. In addition, three joints surround the TMJ; the hyoid (which is connected to the tongue), the stylohyoid (connected to the lower part of the jaw bone) and of course, also, which connects to itself back at the skull.

Part of what allows people with healthy functioning TMJs to not be in constant pain every time they chew or eat is that the TMJ is more of a shock absorber, rather than being completely fluid. This is because the bones are rigid and they don’t move together when chewing or opening one’s mouth; instead, at this time it acts like most joints in the human body. For example, when you grab your shoulder with your hand and move it around, you’ll feel that it is a bit “bouncy”. It’s the same with your TMJ.

TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay states that when the jaw bone moves out of position, due to sitting in awkward positions all day at work or something similar, many times this isn’t a problem because the bones don’t move together in normal functioning. However when they do move out of position, the TMJ becomes less of a shock absorber and more like a fluid joint (a little similar to the knee joint).

This is also why even people without TMJ problems can get sore jaw muscles if they clench their teeth together for long periods of time; it’s because they are using muscle tissue in place of fluid. This isn’t a good thing, because how it’s supposed to work is that only the bones must move in order for you to open your mouth, but with some people they clench their teeth together and this causes the muscles to do all of the work. This is a lot of work for them and can become very painful.

Contact Us: TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay

If you or a loved one are looking for TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay give H&D Physical Therapy a call. Our team is devoted to helping you heal, and live pain free!

Are you experiencing jaw pain and are wondering what is causing it? Jaw pain, also known as TMJ, has many possible causes which can be very uncomfortable. However, there are also many exercises and treatments you can follow that can relieve jaw pain. At H&D Physical Therapy, our TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay will take a closer look at your jaw and will provide you with effective treatments that will reduce the pain.

What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint is a joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. If the joint is injured or damaged, it can lead to a pain disorder called the temporomandibular joint, also known as TMJ.

What causes TMJ?

Many causes can lead to TMJ, but the following are the most common causes of jaw pain:

Tooth Decay: You must brush your teeth daily and keep up with dental visits, so you don’t get cavities. Having cavities can lead to TMJ. For instance, if your cavity gets infected, that infection can spread to the tooth’s root. This causes TMJ, especially if the back of your teeth gets infected. That is why you must keep up with your dentist appointments, so if you have a cavity, your dentist will take it early before it can cause TMJ.

Autoimmune Diseases: Any type of autoimmune disease can cause TMJ, such as lupus, sclerosis, or arthritis. These diseases cause severe pain along your jaw that sometimes you may not be able to open your mouth entirely or sometimes not even at all. However, you can talk to a TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay who can tell you how to manage the pain and can provide you with a plan of treatment.

Sinus infections: Your sinuses trap the bacteria you inhale in your mucus and protect your lungs from harmful germs. However, if you have allergies or you get a cold, you might get a sinuses infection. This can also cause TMJ since the infection causes swelling, pain, and pressure in the walls of your sinus. If the swelling gets too intense, then it can expand to your jaw, causing TMJ.

Stress: Did you know that experiencing too much stress can cause TMJ? For instance, when you’re feeling stress, the muscles in your jaw get tense and cause pain in the joint. Stress can also cause headaches, and these headaches can also affect your jaw, which leads to pain. One way to stop this is to follow activities or techniques that can reduce stress. Any activities you do to reduce stress also reduce jaw pain. Some activities include going out for walks, listening to music, reading, or even meditating.

Grinding or Clenching of Teeth: Some people are used to grinding their teeth while sleeping, and they don’t even notice. However, when they wake up, they may have jaw pain, and they don’t know what is causing it. Even little things or simple habits like chewing gum, biting on a pencil, or another object can cause you to grind your teeth at night. When you grind or clench your teeth, the muscles around the joint get tired and seize up, which causes jaw pain. Talking with a TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay is beneficial as they can give you some exercise to stop grinding your teeth.

Contact Our TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay

If you’re currently experiencing TMJ, you might want to get an evaluation to avoid and prevent future issues. At H&D Physical Therapy, our team of experts and professionals have you covered by providing you with the best care and course of treatment. Contact us today for a TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay!

TMJ (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction) is a disorder that causes pain and discomfort in the jaw and affects more than 10 million Americans. The main cause of TMJ is injury or trauma to the head, neck or jaw area. Other things such as arthritis, teeth grinding (bruxism) and stress can also be contributors to TMJ disorders. If you feel that you are suffering from these issues, we ask that you consider visiting our TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay at H&D Physical Therapy. Our staff has recently added TMJ treatment into our repertoire, and we look forward to treating NYC residents who suffer from this type of jaw pain.

What are the symptoms of TMJ?

Symptoms of TMJ may include but are not limited to:

1) headaches and neck pain

2) popping or clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth

3) whiplash sensations

4) ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

5) swelling of jaw muscles, face, gums or neck area.

6) earaches.

7) problems such as locking or catching of the jaw, when opening or closing the mouth.

8) loose teeth.

9) changes in the bite.

TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay Treatment Without Surgery

The following are non-surgical treatments for TMJ disorder:

1) Use ice packs to reduce swelling, pain and muscle spasms in the jaw area. Take ibuprofen medicine to help reduce pain and swelling.

2) Exercising the jaw muscles can help reduce pain, spasms and locking. One way to do this is by holding ice cubes in your mouth for 30 seconds at a time, 10 times or until the ice melts.

3) Use moist heat on the face and jaw area to relax muscles and reduce pain.

4) Take note of how you sleep, sit and use your computer. Try to alter these habits if it makes your jaw muscles more tense than usual.

5) Avoid opening or closing your mouth too wide when yawning or chewing, which could cause further damage.

6) Do not wear braces with metal coils or brackets.

7) Use a mouth guard when you play sports, grind your teeth or speak loudly in order to protect your jaw muscles from tension and pain.

8) If the above treatments do not work after a period of time, then talk to your doctor about surgery. Surgery is only a last resort because it is more involved and can be expensive.

How can physical therapy help treat my TMJ?

In physical therapy, treatment for the TMJ disorder works on reducing pain and stress and to increase strength and range of motion in the jaw area (1). Treatment involves: 1) using moist heat and ice packs to reduce pain and swelling; 2) exercises such as moving your mouth in different directions or opening wide while keeping your mouth closed; and 3) using a bite plate to reduce clenching or grinding of the jaw.

In addition, physical therapy with a TMJ Specialist in Turtle Bay can help people who have been diagnosed with TMJ by building up the muscles around the jaw area. This helps make it more stable for an individual with TMJ disorder to chew properly. In most cases, once this strengthening and relaxation of the muscles is done, it would alleviate or reduce pain.

Would surgery be my only option to treat my TMJ?

In some cases, surgery may be an option to fix a painful TMJ disorder. However, this is only a last resort due to the high risks involved with surgery and the very high cost of it. Most people do not go through with surgery because hand-held tools can be used to work on the jaw muscles, which alleviates pain for most. Physical therapy can also help reduce pain and stress in the jaw area.

Would physical therapy be a better option for my TMJ than surgery?

Physical therapy can help individuals reduce pain and stress in the jaw area. Treatment consists of using ice packs, moist heat and exercises to strengthen muscles around the jaw area. Surgery is only a last resort for TMJ because it’s expensive and has high risk. Physical therapy typically helps most with reducing pain and muscle tension. In addition, physical therapists can build up the muscles around the jaw area. This can help an individual with TMJ chew properly and alleviate or reduce pain.