What is TMJ? 

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disorder of the jaw muscles and nerves caused by injury to the TMJ
• May be due to poor alignment of the jaw, trauma to the jaw/face, teeth grinding, clenching, poor posture, stress, arthritis, excessive gum chewing
• Pain while chewing is common
• Clicking, popping, swelling of sides of the face, nerve inflammation, headaches, ear pain and tooth grinding are common symptoms 

How can physical therapy help? 

Your physical therapist will examine you to determine the proper course of treatment for your particular TMJ pain. Together you will develop an individualized treatment plan to address impairments found in examination. Typical treatment includes: 

• Stretching
• Relaxation
• Manual therapy to release tension, tight musculature, and scar tissue
• Dry needling 
• Postural training