Temporomandibular Dysfunction

What is the Temporomandibular Dysfunction?

Irritation, misalignment, or strain of the muscles and/or ligaments of the temporomandibular joint

What are common symptoms?

Pain in the jaw, neck, eyes, head, teeth, ears, and difficulty with chewing, swallowing, coughing or even smiling

A woman with blonde hair and closed eyes, and an informational diagram highlighting symptoms of TMD affecting head, eyes, ears, jaw, mouth, and throat.

What causes this condition?

Posture, jaw alignment, clenching of jaw, neck tension, and trauma are all possible causes

Diagram of TMJ disorder showing TMJ, masseter muscle, and lower jaw bone. It compares a normal TMJ that stays in the socket when the jaw opens with a TMJ disorder where the joint moves forward when the jaw opens.

How can physical therapy help?

  • Manual therapy for relief of muscle tension or mobilization of stiff joints

  • Exercises to correct posture and misalignment of the jaw and neck

  • Ergonomic and behavior modification