TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder)

A combined approach of

Can help control pain associated with TMJ and improve function.

A Physiotherapist will assess your condition, advise you of a treatment plan, which may include acupuncture, therapeutic modalities, manual therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises and education. Our goal as physiotherapists is to alleviate pain and improve function

Osteopathic manual therapy aims at restoring proper mobility within the joints and soft tissue, allowing maximum expression of the body, and achieving total body function. This helps to relieve pain, improve mobility, and restore health.

Massage therapists use their hands to detect and treat problems with muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the body's soft tissue. Massage therapy can help to improve flexibility, promote healing, and increase circulation.

The following exercises can help improve posture and decrease stress on your jaw allowing it to heal.

Start with your spine aligned. This will decrease stress through your neck and TMJ.

The Wall Test:
Check to see if the three spinal curves are in their normal alignment

Good Posture:
Ear, shoulder and hip should be in a straight line. Think about a string from the top of your head being pulled up to straighten your spinal curve. Slightly tuck your chin, shoulders slightly down and back, and tighten lower abdominal muscles.

Resting Position of the Jaw: 
In good postural Position the lips are o together, teeth slightly apart and tongue to the roof of mouth. This is the position that puts the least stress on the TMJ. 

The Mirror Test:
Right after you do the wall test, Take a good look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Your ears, shoulders and hips should be level.  

  • Neck Retraction and Postural Correction:
    • Sit with good posture as shown, a small pillow or chair with a lumbar support will help support the lumbar spine.
    • Lift the chest up to strengthen the thoracic spine
    • Bring shoulders down and back
    • Tuck chin in
    • Imagine a string from the top of your head pulling you up to straighten the spinal curves.  
  • Upper Fibers of Trapezius Stretch:
    • Place arm behind back (to help keep shoulder down)
    • Bend neck in opposite direction ear to opposite shoulder
    • Use hand for extra stretch as shown  
  • Corner Stretch, Chest:
    • Stand in a corner, hands at shoulder level
    • Lean into corner

Hold each 5 seconds, 3 times, several times a day.

Exercises can help restore the normal range of motion in your jaw by improving flexibility and strengthening muscles.

Looking in a mirror, gently open and close your mouth straight up and down, keeping your upper teeth and bottom teeth aligned. Make sure to stand in good postural position. Keep tongue curled against the roof of the mouth.

Attempt 5 times, several times a day.